Sylvester Stallone Not Returning for Cliffhanger Reboot

Cliffhanger is getting a fresh reboot, but without the iconic Sylvester Stallone in the mix.

According to Variety, the production, currently underway in the Dolomite Mountains of Austria, will see Lily James stepping into the action spotlight. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, the film features an ensemble cast that includes Pierce Brosnan, Nell Tiger Free, Franz Rogowski, Shubham Saraf, Assaad Bouab, Suzy Bemba, and Bruno Gourey.

Jaume Collet-Serra promises a visually immersive experience, stating, “Shooting our movie on location in the Dolomites using large format cameras was imperative for us to show the scope and scale of the story we’re telling. Lily in particular has gone above and beyond for the role, putting in real training and learning to climb.” Collet-Serra emphasized that James’s dedication has allowed the team to capture shots that “couldn’t have been achieved otherwise.”

A New Take on Cliffhanger

Initially announced in May 2023, the Cliffhanger reboot was set to feature Stallone reprising his role as Gabe Walker, with director Ric Roman Waugh at the helm. However, after a creative overhaul, Stallone departed the project, making way for a new story crafted by writer Ana Lily Amirpour. This reimagined narrative brings a fresh twist to the classic premise, now described as a “father-daughter take on Die Hard.”

In the reboot, Brosnan plays Ray Cooper, a seasoned mountaineer who runs a luxury chalet in the Dolomites with his daughter Sydney. The plot thickens when Ray and his daughter Naomi (played by James), haunted by a past climbing accident, are forced to confront a gang of kidnappers. Facing her fears, Naomi embarks on a perilous journey to save her family, adding a new layer of emotional stakes and action to the story.

Paying Tribute to the Original’s Practical Effects

With Stallone’s departure, this Cliffhanger seems less of a direct sequel and more of a reimagined story that honors some of the original’s themes. Renny Harlin, who directed the original 1993 Cliffhanger, shared his thoughts earlier this year, expressing hope that the new reboot would maintain the authenticity of the original’s practical effects.

Reflecting on the 1993 film, Harlin said, “We shot at 12,000-foot peaks in the Italian Alps. It was real stuff… the audience will be able to tell that we did everything for real.” He cautioned against relying heavily on CGI, saying, “I hope they don’t do that because it deserves a sequel with the same spirit of the original.”

While Stallone’s absence marks a departure from the original, the reboot’s commitment to practical effects, scenic filming locations, and a strong cast led by Lily James could offer fans a thrilling new take on the action classic.