Jalmari Helander on ‘Sisu: Road to Revenge,’ Possible Trilogy Plans, and His Rambo Prequel Ambitions
Finnish filmmaker Jalmari Helander is gearing up for another adrenaline-fueled cinematic ride. Following the success of his 2023 World War II sleeper hit Sisu, the director is back with a sequel — Sisu: Road to Revenge — which hits theaters on November 21. The film picks up years after Aatami Korpi’s (Jorma Tommila) brutal campaign against the Nazis, this time thrusting the stoic ex-commando into a new, deeply personal war.
The Story Behind ‘Sisu: Road to Revenge’
In the sequel, Aatami returns to Soviet-controlled Karelia to reclaim the remnants of his family’s cabin. The mission turns deadly when the Red Army — led by Stephen Lang’s Yeagor Dragunov, the commander who murdered his family — sees a chance to finish him once and for all.
Helander says the idea for the sequel was born out of creative frustration during the pandemic.
“I needed to do something f—ing cool, or I wouldn’t do anything anymore,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “So I just wrote something for myself, without any expectations. I’m lucky it worked.”
This time, Helander weaves emotional weight into the chaos, showing a warrior fighting not just for revenge, but for closure.
“I’m proud of the emotional side of the story. It elevates the film to another level,” he said.
Returning Cast and Explosive Action
Jorma Tommila, Helander’s longtime collaborator and brother-in-law, reprises his role as Aatami — the silent, unbreakable force of nature. Helander admits that writing a lead with minimal dialogue has become second nature.
“It’s hard at first, but it forces you to think more cinematically,” he explained. “You have to tell the story through pictures — and that comes naturally to me.”
Joining him is veteran actor Stephen Lang, who portrays Dragunov. The director calls Lang “the perfect mirror” to Aatami — both soldiers haunted by war and age.
“They’re both easy to shoot and interesting to watch, even when they’re not saying a word,” Helander said.
The film doubles down on Sisu’s signature blend of over-the-top stunts and grounded emotion. Among its most nerve-racking sequences were massive explosions that required entire days of setup for a single take.
“You just hope for the best,” Helander joked. “It’s thrilling to watch when it works.”
A Trilogy on the Horizon?
While Road to Revenge closes with what Helander calls a “beautiful ending,” he admits he has ideas for a potential third installment.
“I have some ideas. This feels like a complete story, but let’s see what happens,” he teased.
From ‘Sisu’ to ‘Rambo’
Helander’s next project is already turning heads — a prequel to First Blood titled John Rambo, with Noah Centineo starring as a young version of the iconic Vietnam veteran.
For Helander, the leap from Sisu to Rambo feels natural.
“Both characters are broken by war,” he said. “There’s a lot of similarities between Aatami and Rambo.”
He also feels the weight of expectation, particularly given Sylvester Stallone’s legacy with the franchise.
“It’s a big deal to do a Rambo film, and there’s a lot of responsibility,” Helander admitted. “I just want to make Stallone proud.”
A Director on the Rise
With Sisu: Road to Revenge arriving this week and John Rambo set to begin filming in January, Helander is quickly carving out a reputation as one of modern action cinema’s most distinctive voices — a filmmaker unafraid to mix brutal spectacle with raw humanity.
As audiences prepare to revisit the unforgiving Finnish wilderness, one thing is certain: Helander isn’t done fighting yet.
What do you think of Jalmari Helander’s vision for the Sisu universe and his upcoming Rambo prequel? Share your thoughts in the comments on InvestRecords.com.
