Sylvester Stallone will not be reprising his role as John Rambo in the TV series based on the property.
Independent studio Entertainment One teamed up with Avi Lerner’s Nu Image to develop and co-produce a Rambo TV series. The companies said in a news release that they were in negotiations with Stallone to be involved with the project “on a creative level,” and said that he could “potentially reprise his iconic role as the original Rambo.” However, Stallone’s representative told The Hollywood Reporter that Stallone would not be reprising the role for the small screen.
“While a television series based on the Rambo property is in development with Entertainment One and Nu Image, contrary to reports, Sylvester Stallone will certainly not reprise his role as the iconic John Rambo for the small screen,” the actor’s press representative at Rogers and Cowan told THR.
The 67-year-old may still be involved with the series in a creative capacity, but “will not portray the character in the series,” the representative said.
Avi Lerner produced Rambo , the fourth and final installment in the franchise, in 2008, almost 20 years after Rambo III . He also produced The Expendables franchise, beginning with the first installment in 2010. Sylvester Stallone will be reprising his role as Barney Ross, leader of the Expendables, in the upcoming third installment. Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, and Arnold Schwarzenegger will also be returning. The Expendables 3 will also mark the first feature film role for UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey .
“I’m happy to be partnering with a prolific company like Entertainment One who has a track record of creating high-quality programming for their broadcast partners around the world,” Lerner said. “And I’m excited by the prospect of collaborating again with my good friend Sly for an encore in this next phase of the Rambo legacy.”
