Rambo proves old soldiers don`t die: they make sequels

An iconic action-hero of the 1980s whose rise coincided with the waning years of the Cold War, John Rambo's return is proof that in Hollywood, old soldiers never die -- they just make sequels.

And as the decorated Vietnam veteran exploded into US cinemas on Friday amid a hail of gunfire -- 26 years after making his debut in "First Blood" -- no-one was more surprised than the actor who plays him, Sylvester Stallone.

Stallone, 61, revealed in an interview with AFP that he never envisaged Rambo's character driving one of the best-known movie franchises in history, earning 600 million dollars and spawning three sequels in the process.

"When I made 'First Blood' in 1982 I had no idea that I'd be ringing in the New Year 26 years later with the third sequel," Stallone said.

"I originally thought that 'First Blood' was a good action picture that might catch on with war veterans and some action movie fans but I had no idea that it would become a worldwide phenomenon.