Gene Hackman

By Kim Morgan
Special to MSN Movies

Another "Rambo"? Really? Yes indeed. And yes, in spite of the franchise's ridiculous sequels, we can't wait. Part of our hope is based on Sylvester Stallone, who proved last year with his impressive, reflective "Rocky Balboa" that revisiting... more a famous screen character needn't be simply cashing in. We're hoping that Stallone (who wrote and directed "Rambo") will again think about what that character represents now as, more specifically, an older person. Because, let's face it, 61-year-old Sly is ripe enough for his AARP card and just a few years from official senior citizenship.

But that's not to say John J. Rambo is too old to kick butt (or any 61-year-old for that matter). In this day and age, 60 is the new ... 50, especially on-screen (for men anyway, women aren't afforded that luxury just yet). With an elder "Indiana Jones" in production, and actors like Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson and Gene Hackman showing that age only keeps one interesting, "Rambo" is working in the grand, grizzled tradition of rough oldsters. With that in mind, here are 10 of our favorite elder-statesman tough guys, men who valiantly prove that youth really is wasted on the young. (Lionsgate Films)