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Academy Award-nominated actor James Franco has landed his first role in a major Hollywood production since 2018’s The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. Franco has been cast in the Rambo prequel, which stars Noah Centineo in the lead role.
According to reports, James Franco has joined the cast of John Rambo, the origin story prequel to the Rambo franchise that will star Noah Centineo as young John Rambo, the role popularized by Sylvester Stallone across five films from 1982 to 2019.
James Franco has been cast in a “small role” in John Rambo, his first role in a major Hollywood production since 2018
Franco, who will reportedly have a “small role” in the project joins Centineo and David Harbour, who was previously cast as Major Trautman, Rambo’s commanding officer. The cast also includes Yao (Sinners), Jason Tobin, Quincy Isaiah, Jefferson White (Yellowstone), and Tayme Thapthimthong (The White Lotus).
The announcement of Franco’s casting comes after he was spotted at the Cannes Film Festival this week, where he spoke to Deadline and revealed that he had recently wrapped a role in an unnamed “big studio movie,” adding that the film “won’t be ready for this summer, but my guess is it will be end of this year or spring-summer 2027.”
Franco’s Hollywood career effectively collapsed in 2018 following sexual misconduct allegations from multiple women, including former students at his acting school, who accused him of abuse of power and inappropriate behavior.
Franco denied the allegations but acknowledged that the accusers had raised important issues. No criminal charges were filed and he later settled a civil lawsuit.
Prior to his career downturn, Franco was best known for starring as Harry Osborne in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy and his collaborations with Seth Rogen, most notably the comedies Pineapple Express, This is The End, and The Interview. He was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his work in Danny Boyle’s 2010 film 127 Hours.
Franco’s other notable films include Tristan & Isolde, Annapolis, Flyboys, Milk, Eat Pray Love, Your Highness, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Spring Breakers, Oz the Great and Powerful, True Story, Sausage Party, Why Him? and The Disaster Artist.