It's official: filming for the next Rambo movie has just begun.

In a rare display of innovation and originality, with a touch of audacious risk-taking, Lionsgate is relaunching the Rambo franchise without Sylvester Stallone, but with Noah Centineo (The Recruit, Street Fighter) in the lead role. The plot takes place during the Vietnam War, several years before the events of First Blood. A statement from the studio specifies: "The story aims to explore in depth the origins and experiences that forged one of the most enduring and complex characters on the big screen." Enduring, yes. Complex, we won't go that far. The Russo brothers to produce the next Rambo. The only good news in this latest rehash is that Jalmari Helander, director of Sisu, is directing from a screenplay by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani (Black Adam, The Mauritanian). In his statement, Helander specifies: "This is a stripped-down, raw, and authentic Rambo, a story of survival based on endurance, perseverance, and lost innocence." Kevin King Templeton, Les Weldon, Jonathan Yunger, Michael Disco, and Angela Russo Otstot are producing, while Anthony and Joe Russo are among the executive producers. The cast also includes Yao (Sinners), Jason Tobin (A Thousand Blows), Quincy Isaiah (Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty), Jefferson White (Yellowstone), and Tayme Thapthimthong (The White Lotus). Filming will take place in Thailand, including Bangkok, Krabi, Phang Nga, and Kanchanaburi.