Stallone Planned to Direct ‘Rambo’ Prequel Starring a De-Aged AI Version of Himself

Sylvester Stallone has been pushed out of upcoming instalments of some of his most well known films, including “Cliffhanger” and “Rambo,” but he’s certainly got opinions—and ideas of his own.

In two wide-ranging interviews, with The Playlist and Screen Rant, the actor discussed everything from his upcoming memoir to Peter Farrely’s upcoming Stallone origin story (“I Play Rocky”) to an audacious AI-driven take on a “Rambo” prequel that he pitched.

“Sisu” director Jalmari Helander is directing the ‘Rambo’ prequel. A Vietnam War–era origin story about the character, with Noah Centineo set to star. However, Stallone revealed that he had pitched a very different version of himself—one that leaned fully into AI technology.

“Everyone thought I was crazy,” he recalled. The idea: convincingly de-age Stallone to his Vietnam-era self using AI, allowing him to star in the story as an 18-year-old Rambo. “AI is sophisticated enough to go through Saigon to see him at 18 years old and basically use the same image. So it isn’t as big a stretch,” Stallone said.

I wanted Rambo to be the nicest guy in the school, the valedictorian, the prom king, and all that stuff. And when he goes to Vietnam, he thinks it’s going to be a three-week hit-and-run, and you see him being tortured and captured, his friends murdered, one thing after another, and [his] life in Saigon. And that’s how I became the way I became, but originally I was bon vivant–that kind of thing. And I thought, ‘We could do this with AI,’ but [we] procrastinated too long and they took it over and, I hope, you know, good luck

The actor also acknowledged the inherent challenge Centino has in stepping back into a character so closely associated with him. “It’s very, very hard. He may do a stellar job, but you’re overcoming this because I went through it with “Get Carter.” Everyone loves the original, and then you’re always fighting that prejudice.”

As for “I Play Rocky,” Stallone admits he was blindsided when hearing about the project. “I was shocked to read [about] it,” he said, “I have zero to do with it.”

Whether he likes it or not, Stallone—who has essentially destroyed the ‘Expendables’ franchise—must now watch as others take the reins on new stories for Rocky, Cliffhanger, and Rambo. What’s left in his IP arsenal? “Demolition Man”? For the time being, he’s turning his attention to other ventures, including Tulsa King, which is heading into its fourth season.