Questions
Who created Rambo and where did he first appear?
John Rambo was created by author David Morrell in his 1972 novel First Blood. The character was first brought to the screen ten years later in the 1982 film adaptation.
What was the first Rambo movie and when did it come out?
The first film was First Blood, released on October 22, 1982. It grossed around $160.3 million worldwide against a $15 million budget.
Who plays John Rambo?
Sylvester Stallone has played John Rambo across all five films. He also co-wrote every screenplay in the series and directed the 2008 installment.
Which actors were considered for Rambo before Stallone?
The project bounced around Hollywood for about a decade, and names reportedly considered included Clint Eastwood, Al Pacino, Paul Newman, James Caan, Robert Redford, Burt Reynolds, and Steve McQueen. Stallone signed on after reading the script through in a day.
Does the movie end differently from the novel?
Yes. In David Morrell’s novel, Rambo dies at the end, and the film originally shot that tragic finale. After test audiences reportedly reacted badly to it, producers re-edited the movie so Rambo survives.
How little does Rambo actually speak in First Blood?
Stallone reworked the role so that his character says fewer than 400 words in the entire film, leaning heavily on a physical, non-verbal performance.
Was the famous survival knife in the original book?
No, the iconic knife was not in Morrell’s novel and was reportedly Stallone’s own idea for the film. The original prop knife reportedly sold at auction in 2013 for $92,250.
Did Stallone get hurt making the movie?
Stallone performed the stunt of dropping off a cliff into a tree himself, and reportedly walked away with a serious back injury and several broken ribs.
Who plays Colonel Trautman, and was he always the choice?
Richard Crenna plays Colonel Trautman, but he was not the first pick. Kirk Douglas was originally cast and left early in production, with Crenna reportedly brought in as an emergency replacement.
Where was First Blood filmed and why was it delayed?
Production faced unexpected heavy snowfall in early 1982 that delayed the shoot by about two months. The Canadian Army provided security after an on-set incident and also served as extras.
How big was Rambo in China?
When First Blood was released in China in 1985, it reportedly sold around 76 million tickets, which stood as the record for a foreign Hollywood film there until 2018.
How well did the whole Rambo franchise do?
The five-film franchise has earned a combined total of roughly $819.4 million worldwide. The 1985 sequel Rambo: First Blood Part II was the biggest earner at about $300.4 million.
Did Rambo appear outside the movies?
Yes. Rambo spawned a 1986 animated series, Rambo: The Force of Freedom, which ran 65 episodes, and the character later appeared as playable DLC in Mortal Kombat 11 with Stallone reprising his voice.
Is there a new Rambo project on the way?
A prequel titled John Rambo has been reported, with Noah Centineo cast as a young Rambo, exploring the character before Vietnam.
