Now that RAMBO: LAST BLOOD has been unleashed in theaters, it's officially time to see what lies ahead for the film's star, Sylvester Stallone. When gazing into my crystal ball, I see that Stallone has signed on to star in an upcoming film for MGM, titled SAMARITAN. Set to be directed by Julius Avery (OVERLORD), the thriller is based on an original idea that centers on young boy who is out to discover if a mythic superhero, who vanished 20 years earlier following a tragic event, is still alive.
The story will come from ESCAPE ROOM writer Bragi F. Schut, with Stallone and Balboa Productions partner Braden Aftergood producing. Schut will also serve as an executive producer with shooting expected to begin early next year.
“Sly is a hero of mine, I’m incredibly thrilled to be working with such an iconic actor on this very special project with Balboa Productions and MGM,” said Avery.
This past weekend, Stallone's RAMBO: LAST BLOOD opened to a $19 million domestic gross. Reviews for John Rambo's final battle have been all over the map, though our own Chris Bumbray seemed to enjoy the feature a fair bit, despite its flaws. You can read Chris' review of RAMBO: LAST BLOOD here.
Among several projects that Stallone has in-the-works is a biographical action drama titled TOUGH AS THEY COME. Stallone will direct and star in the feature, which centers on Travis Mills, a soldier in Afghanistan who loses his four limbs four days before his 25th birthday, and when he returns home must reconcile with his step-father, and live with only prosthetics for his arms and legs. The film is being written by Marcus Brotherton and is based on a novel of the same name penned by Travis Mills himself. Other projects that Stallone has simmering is a long-gestating sequel to THE EXPENDABLES, as well as SCARPA, a biographical crime drama that focuses on Gregory Scarpa, a former capo and enforcer for the Colombo crime family. The SCARPA project will be helmed by Brad Furman, with Stallone in line to play the film's title character, Gregory Scarpa.