When you think of John Rambo, Sylvester Stallone's iconic and badass Vietnam War vet, what image comes to mind? Chances are it's a longhaired Rambo, shirtless and diced to the socks, rocking a bandana and wielding a bow and arrow, a big knife or an even bigger gun. An image that you probably don't think of when you think of Rambo is that of a cowboy, and yet that is exactly what Sylvester Stallone' looks like as Rambo 5 is set to begin filming. Take a look below to see John Rambo as you've never seen him before.
If you didn't know that Sylvester Stallone was filming Rambo 5, you'd have to think that this was a look from an entirely different movie, like a neo-Western in the vein of No Country for Old Men or Hell or High Water. Yet this image from Sylvester Stallone's Instagram apparently shows the actor as he may look when he reprises his role as John Rambo in Rambo 5. Apparently gone is the long hair, the tank top and the bandana, and in their place is a cowboy, complete with riding chaps and the requisite cowboy hat. Simply put, this does not look like Rambo.
This outfit isn't just for show either. It looks like Sylvester Stallone will actually be doing some horseback riding as Rambo for the new film. Check out Sylvester Stallone's post from the set of the film below:
While these images may not be an official confirmation of Rambo turning into a cowboy, Sylvester Stallone is really teasing the fans with the concept. And if you remember the ending to the last film in the series, 2008's Rambo, this new look actually tracks. That film ended with John Rambo, at long last, returning to the United States and making his way to Arizona to visit his father. In that ending scene we see that the Rambo homestead is a ranch with horses on it. So if the new film follows that narrative, it makes sense that with no more wars to fight, Rambo probably settled down in that rural home and helped man the ranch. Like Sylvester Stallone himself, Rambo has gotten older and the character's look has changed with age and with his occupation. He's no longer a guerrilla war fighter; he's just an older guy living a simple life. Or trying his best.
Wars always find Rambo, and there are always people in need of saving. Rambo 5 will find the vet taking on a Mexican cartel. So he will probably be minding his own business on the Arizona ranch when violence spills over the border, and he finds himself once again having to take matters into his own hands. We've seen Rambo fight all over the world, so this new look and new setting should give this film a different look and feel. The character and the franchise has the opportunity to evolve, and if Rambo 5 has the gritty modern Western shown in these images, it will be breaking new ground.
Rambo 5 is scheduled for release next fall. To see all of the biggest movies coming to theaters next year (there are a lot of them), check out our 2019 release schedule.
