A fifth instalment in the Rambo franchise has received the greenlight.

Lionsgate Films executives had previously announced that a sequel to 2008's Rambo was in development, while star Sylvester Stallone is to write and direct the new film.

The NuImage/Millenium Films project will centre on the Vietnam veteran dealing with drug lords and human traffickers in order to rescue a young girl kidnapped near the US-Mexico border, Variety reports.

Production is scheduled to begin in the spring.

Stallone earlier said that he would not reprise the role after last year's film.