The first time I saw Cliffhanger (1993), Renny Harlin's snow-capped thriller, I thought Stallone had found his groove—gritty, physical, and unapologetically 90s. Fast-forward thirty years, and Hollywood's doing something even more audacious: greenlighting a sequel to the Cliffhanger reboot… before anyone's seen the first film.
In Tinseltown, sequels are usually a reward for success. But for the upcoming Cliffhanger relaunch—now in post-production—the studio's betting on future glory before the cameras have even rolled. As Deadline reported last week, early development on a sequel is already underway, a move that feels equal parts bold and bewildering.
The Great Shift: From Stallone to a New Generation
Originally conceived as a Stallone-led sequel, the project underwent a “creative overhaul” (THR) when Sly stepped away. Enter Lily James as the lead, Pierce Brosnan as her co-star, and Jaume Collet-Serra (Non-Stop, The Shallows) in the director's chair. The new script, penned by Ana Lily Amirpour (A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night), reimagines the franchise as a “father-daughter spin on Die Hard”—a nod to the original's lone-hero formula but with added emotional stakes.
Brosnan plays Ray Cooper, a veteran mountaineer running a luxury chalet in the Dolomites. His world unravels when a billionaire's son is kidnapped during a family outing, forcing his daughter Naomi (James)—haunted by a past climbing tragedy—into survival mode. It's a setup that swaps Stallone's muscle for familial tension, and IMAX plans suggest the studio sees it as a tentpole event.
Why a Sequel Before Release? Confidence or Desperation?
The original Cliffhanger (1993) grossed $255 million worldwide, becoming a staple of 90s action cinema. But Stallone has no stake in this reboot or its untitled sequel—marking a stark generational shift. So why rush a follow-up?
Studios often franchise before release to lock in IP rights (think John Wick or John Wick: Chapter 2), but this move feels extreme. Is it confidence in Collet-Serra's ability to deliver, or fear that the reboot won't resonate without Stallone's star power? Time will tell—but for now, Hollywood's playing a long game, even when the first chapter hasn't been told.
Snapshot: 5 Things to Know About the Cliffhanger Reboot & Its Untitled Sequel
- Sequel Before Release: Unprecedented move signals studio faith (or recklessness) in the reboot's success.
- Cast Overhaul: Lily James and Pierce Brosnan replace Stallone, marking a generational shift in the franchise.
- Die Hard-Inspired Plot: Father-daughter dynamic updates the original's lone-hero formula, adding emotional stakes.
- IMAX Ambition: Studio's big-screen push indicates plans for a tentpole hit, leveraging the original's action legacy.
- Original's Legacy: 1993 film's $255M gross proves the brand's enduring appeal, even without Stallone's involvement.
What do you think—bold move or boneheaded bet? Share your thoughts below, and stay tuned for more updates on Cliffhanger's unexpected journey. Follow @filmofilia for breaking news, trailer breakdowns, and deep dives into Hollywood's wildest moves.
