Hollywood producer Dallas Sonnier is teaming up with one of his cinematic heroes, Sylvester Stallone, as an executive producer on the upcoming film John Rambo. Speaking with Hollywood in Toto, Sonnier said he has followed Stallone’s career for decades, even sitting through lesser-known titles like the 2002 thriller D-Tox, also known as Eye See You. At the time of that film’s release, Stallone’s career was struggling. The actor later reclaimed his box office power with Rocky Balboa and Rambo.
“My favorite Stallone movie is Cop Land. It’s his best movie, it’s perfection. He should have won the Oscar for it,” Sonnier said, adding that he appreciates films that fully immerse themselves in a distinct culture or setting.
Sonnier confirmed that his role on the new John Rambo project is mainly behind the scenes. He described himself as a “passive” producer who spent only one day on set but played a critical part at a key production moment that helped the project move forward. “Dallas the battering ram got something done and got to be a part of that movie as a result,” he said.
The new movie will follow a younger version of John Rambo during his service in the Vietnam War. Actor Noah Centineo will take on the lead role, with Sisu director Jalmari Helander directing. Sonnier called the script “great” and said Helander is “the perfect fit,” praising his work on both Sisu films.
Sonnier has made his reputation by backing bold and sometimes controversial projects. He helped produce films like Bone Tomahawk, Brawl in Cell Block 99, and Dragged Across Concrete from filmmaker S. Craig Zahler. He also gave Gina Carano a second act after her dismissal from Disney with Terror on the Prairie and helped bring Vincent Gallo back to the screen in Shut In after nearly a decade away.
His approach often reflects a broader philosophy about storytelling and masculinity that puts him at odds with much of modern Hollywood. “I think that if you look at what the country used to have, we celebrated masculine alpha males. You could say Rocky wasn’t perfect, but he became one,” Sonnier said. “It’s the hero’s journey. It’s Joseph Campbell. A man struggles, suffers, and fights the system. That used to be celebrated.”
He argues that mainstream Hollywood has drifted away from that tradition. Sonnier sees a cultural appetite returning for stories about ordinary men pushed to their limits and winning against the odds. “The American spirit of struggle and suffering and fighting and winning as a man has been lost in recent studio projects,” he said. “That’s why it’s a perfect time for a Rambo to return.”
For Sonnier, the mission remains the same. He wants to bring back stories centered on emotional truth and character rather than what he calls “social media-friendly” messaging. “We’ve lost too much of that over time,” he said. “If you look at my movies, I’ve been trying to maintain that sense of struggle and heroism.”
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English (US) · 