MOVIES - Aug. 26, 1987

“Rambo: First Blood Part III” finally begins filming Aug. 30 in Israel. This after a spate of delays ranging from location turmoils to script problems and disagreements between Sylvester Stallone and the production company, Carolco. The sequel finds Rambo leading Afghanistan’s moujahedeen tribesmen against Communist forces who have kidnaped and are torturing Col. Trautman (Richard Crenna, reprising his role from “Rambo I” and “II”). Directed by Australia’s Russell Mulcahy (“Highlander,” “Razorback”), the film is budgeted at more than $45 million--with $16 million of that reportedly going to star/screenwriter Stallone. Worldwide grosses on the last two “Rambos”: $390 million.