In an unexpected turn of events, Sylvester Stallone has hinted at his ideal successor for the iconic role of John Rambo, and it’s none other than the dashing Ryan Gosling. The revelation came during Stallone’s appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” where he recounted a dinner encounter with Gosling, during which the latter expressed a deep affinity for the Rambo character.

Stallone shared, “He goes, ‘I was fascinated by Rambo and I used to go to school dressed as Rambo and people would chase me away and I still didn’t stop,’ vacation as Rambo, he just kept saying that he had a lot of affiliation with Rambo.” Clearly impressed by Gosling’s connection to the role, Stallone remarked, “If I ever pass the baton, I’ll pass it on to him because he loves the character.”

When Fallon posed the question of whether Gosling could indeed step into the shoes of Rambo, Stallone responded affirmatively, albeit acknowledging potential skepticism due to Gosling’s undeniable good looks.

Also Read: Jon Cryer cautious on “Two and a Half Men” reunion with Charlie Sheen

This isn’t the first time Stallone has touted Gosling as a suitable candidate for the role. Years ago, during an interview with Yahoo! Movies, Stallone had already earmarked Gosling as his choice to portray the iconic character.

Gosling’s fascination with Rambo dates back to his childhood when he watched “First Blood,” a film that left an indelible mark on him. He even went as far as emulating Rambo’s tough persona, recalling, “I even thought my face felt like Sylvester Stallone’s and I put a bunch of steak knives in my Fisher-Price Houdini kit.”

Despite his playful childhood antics inspired by the character, Gosling’s admiration for Sylvester Stallone extends beyond Rambo. In his latest film “Barbie,” Gosling drew inspiration from Stallone’s ’80s persona, incorporating elements like Ken’s mink coat as an homage to Stallone’s style.

As Gosling continues to impress audiences with his versatility as an actor, the prospect of him donning the iconic bandana and taking on the role of John Rambo is certainly an intriguing one, showcasing a blend of nostalgia and fresh perspective in the beloved franchise.