Cliffhanger (2026 film)

Last updated

Cliffhanger
Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra
Story by
Produced by
  • Lars Sylvest
  • Joe Neurauter
  • Thorsten Schumacher
  • Neal H. Moritz
  • Toby Jaffe
Starring
Production
companies
Distributed by Row K Entertainment
Release date
  • August 28, 2026 (2026-08-28)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Cliffhanger is an upcoming American action thriller film that is a reboot of the 1993 film. It stars Lily James, Nell Tiger Free, Franz Rogowski, and Pierce Brosnan. It is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and written by Mark Bianculli, Melanie Toast and Ana Lily Amirpour.

Contents

Cliffhanger is scheduled to be released on August 28, 2026.

Premise

While staying with her father Ray Cooper (Brosnan), an experienced mountaineer who runs a luxury chalet in the Dolomites, Naomi (James) and her sister Sydney join a weekend excursion with the son of a billionaire. When the group is ambushed by a gang of kidnappers, Naomi witnesses the attack and narrowly escapes. Forced into hiding, she must summon her courage to save Sydney and her father before it is too late. [1]

Cast

Production

In 1994, TriStar Pictures announced plans to develop a sequel to the 1993 film Cliffhanger , titled Cliffhanger 2: The Dam, with Stallone reprising his starring role. The plot revolved around Gabe Walker combating terrorists who took control of the Hoover Dam. The project remained in development until 2008, when the project was revived with Stallone's involvement, before being shelved. [2] In May 2009, it was announced that a reimagining was in development. Produced by Neal H. Moritz, the project would be a joint-production between Original Film and StudioCanal. The story would focus around a group of young climbers and was tentatively scheduled to begin principal photography the following year. Moritz stated that his intent was to adapt the story in a similar manner comparable to J.J. Abrams' work on Star Trek. [3] By May 2014, Joe Gazzam was hired as screenwriter after pitching his approach to the story to Moritz. [4] By May 2015, Stallone expressed interest in developing a direct sequel to the original film. [5] In May 2019, Rocket Science optioned the rights from StudioCanal and Sony Pictures to develop an entirely new screenplay and turn the story into a female-led version. Ana Lily Amirpour was hired as director, with a new draft of the script written by Sascha Penn. Jason Momoa was in early negotiations to feature in a prominent cameo role; Thorsten Schumacher, Lars Sylvest, Toby Jaffe and Neal Moritz were attached as producers. The story was described as a survival action thriller. The producers stated that there are plans for more than one installment to be made. [6]

In May 2023, it was announced that the project would be redeveloped as a legacy-sequel. Ric Roman Waugh was hired as director (replacing Amirpour), from a new script written by Mark Bianculli. Stallone was slated to reprise his role from the original, in addition to taking on a role as producer. [7] The plot was stated as the continued adventures of climber-turned-rescue ranger Gabriel "Gabe" Walker alongside a supporting cast and feature the Italian Alps. Moritz, Jaffe, Schumacher, Sylvest and Braden Aftergood were stated to also serve as producers. Original Film, Balboa Productions, StudioCanal, Rocket Science, Wright Productions & Entertainment and Front Row Entertainment were named as production studios. The movie had a presence at Cannes, where additional funding and distribution were secured. [8] [9] [10] In December 2023, it was announced that additional film studios had joined the project including FilmFernsehFonds Bayern, Black Magic Films, Supernix, Maze Pictures and Occupant Entertainment. Joe Neurauter and Philipp Kreuzer came on board as producers and filming was scheduled to commence in the fall of 2024 in Bavaria and Munich. [11] [12]

In October 2024 it was reported that Stallone and Roman Waugh were no longer involved with the film. In a creative overhaul, the project was changed from a direct-sequel to a modern-day original reimagining. Jaume Collet-Serra was hired as director, the script was written by Mark Bianculli and Melanie Toast, based on a story by Ana Lily Amirpour. Lily James was cast in the lead role, with Pierce Brosnan, Nell Tiger Free, Franz Rogowski, Shubham Saraf, Assaad Bouab, Suzy Bemba, and Bruno Gouery in supporting roles. Principal photography began on October 31, 2024 in Austria. [1]

Release

Cliffhanger is scheduled to be released in the United States on August 28, 2026. [13]

References

  1. 1 2 Donnelly, Matt (October 31, 2024). "'Cliffhanger' Reboot: Lily James and Pierce Brosnan to Star for Director Jaume Collet-Serra; Sly Stallone Out (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  2. ↑ Stephenson, Hunter (February 16, 2008). "Sylvester Stallone to Star in Cliffhanger 2: The Dam?". /Film . Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  3. ↑ Hopwell, John; Keslassy, Elsa (May 13, 2009). "StudioCanal remounts 'Cliff' - Entertainment News, Cannes News, Media". Variety . Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  4. ↑ Fleming Jr, Mike (May 29, 2014). "Climb Toward 'Cliffhanger' Reboot Moving Forward; Joe Gazzam Set To Write". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  5. ↑ Hill, Josh (May 31, 2015). "Sylvester Stallone teases 'Cliffhanger' sequel (Photo)". FanSided. Archived from the original on June 1, 2015. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  6. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (May 8, 2019). "Hang On, Cannes! Neal Moritz's Female-Fronted 'Cliffhanger' reboot Climbs With Rocket Science, CAA". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  7. ↑ Perlata, Diego (May 1, 2023). "Sylvester Stallone Is Returning for a 'Cliffhanger' Reboot". Collider . Archived from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  8. ↑ Grobar, Matt (May 1, 2023). "Sylvester Stallone Set For 'Cliffhanger' Reboot From Director Ric Roman Waugh". Deadline. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  9. ↑ Kit, Borys (May 1, 2023). "Sylvester Stallone Sets 'Cliffhanger' Reboot With 'Angel Has Fallen' Director". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  10. ↑ Lang, Brent (May 1, 2023). "Sylvester Stallone Returning for 'Cliffhanger' Reboot, Ric Roman Waugh Directing". Variety. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  11. ↑ Blaney, Martin (December 15, 2023). "Sylvester Stallone's 'Cliffhanger' sequel wins backing from German fund ahead of summer 2024 shoot". Screen Daily. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  12. ↑ Blaney, Martin (August 23, 2024). "'Cliffhanger 2', Guy Ritchie's 'The Fountain Of Youth' receive over €7m from Austria's filming incentive". Screen Daily . Archived from the original on September 6, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  13. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 14, 2025). "Row K Sets 2026 Release Dates For 'Dead Man's Wire', 'Poetic License', 'Cliffhanger' & 'Charlie Harper'". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
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