Sylvester Stallone Pitched a ‘Rambo’ Prequel Using AI to …

Sylvester Stallone once had a radical idea to use artificial intelligence to digitally de-age him back to his teenage years for a Rambo prequel.

During an appearance on The Playlist’s Bingeworthy podcast, the actor revealed the pitch he had for the film, saying he envisioned technology recreating John Rambo at 18.

“Everyone thought I was crazy,” Stallone said. “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.”

Though a Rambo origin story starring Noah Centineo is already in the works without his involvement, Stallone admitted it won’t be easy for any other actor to take on the role.

“It’s very, very hard,” said Stallone. “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.”

Stallone also reacted to I Play Rocky, an upcoming Peter Farrelly-directed drama about the making of his breakout film. Anthony Ippolito has been cast as the young boxer, which caught Stallon off guard.

“I was shocked to read [about] it,” he said. “I have zero to do with it. Since I lived it, I thought I might be able to participate and give them some insight.”

The actor is also turning his attention to his own story. His memoir, The Steps, arrives May 5 and traces his early struggles in New York into his Academy Award triumph with Rocky in 1977, while also revisiting his decades of iconic roles.

On the TV front, Stallone will return in Tulsa King, which kicks off its third season Sept. 21. The series has already been renewed for a fourth.