Sylvester Stallone gets death threats on Rambo

Dec 10, 2007, 13:30 GMT

Actor Sylvester Stallone poses for photographers at a press conference to promote the Japan release of the movie Rocky the Final, in Tokyo, Monday 26 March 2007. The movie will open in Japanese theaters April 20th. EPA/EVERETT KENNEDY BROWN

Sylvester Stallone "feared for his life" while filming the new 'Rambo' movie.

The Hollywood star has revealed cast and crew on the blockbuster action film received a series of "formidable death threats" while filming on the conflict-ridden border between Thailand and Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.

He told US TV show 'Access Hollywood': "There were a lot of you might say 'people' trying to dissuade us from filming there.

"There were a lot of threats to myself, to the crew. There were some formidable death threats and it definitely had us fearing for our lives at times.

"The day we landed was when Thailand had their military coup. I'm seeing all these planes leaving and here comes one arriving and that is us. It was certainly daunting."

For decades Myanmar's army has waged a brutal war against ethnic groups in which soldiers have destroyed villages, raped women and killed innocent civilians.

Stallone has previously spoken of the "horrifying" conditions in the region.

He said: "We had shots fired above our heads. We were told we could get seriously hurt if we went on. It was horrifying.

"I witnessed survivors with legs cut off and all kinds of land-mine injuries, maggot-infested wounds and ears cut off. We hear about Vietnam and Cambodia but the results of this conflict are more horrific.

"This is a hellhole beyond your wildest dreams."

The film, which Stallone directs and stars in, sees Rambo taking a group of mercenaries into Myanmar via the Salween River in search of missing Christian aid workers.

It is set for release early next year.

(C) BANG Media International