The Cliffhanger reboot, originally set to star Sylvester Stallone, is moving forward with some big changes. Nearly 18 months after it was first announced, Stallone has exited the project, and Lily James has stepped into the lead role.
Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra (Non-Stop, Carry-On) and written by Mark Bianculli (Hunters), the film has taken on a fresh direction with Pierce Brosnan joining as co-star. Filming is underway in the Austrian Dolomites, featuring a supporting cast that includes Nell Tiger Free (Servant), Franz Rogowski (Passages), Shubham Saraf (Shantaram), Assaad Bouab (Franklin), Suzy Bemba (Poor Things), and Bruno Gouery, known for his breakout role in Emily in Paris.
This new Cliffhanger takes a father-daughter spin on the classic Die Hard concept. Brosnan plays Ray Cooper, a seasoned mountaineer and owner of a luxury chalet in the Dolomites. His daughter, Naomi (played by James), is haunted by a traumatic climbing accident. During a weekend visit with the son of a billionaire, their group becomes the target of a gang of kidnappers. As chaos ensues, Naomi witnesses the attack and escapes. She must face her deepest fears and confront the kidnappers to save her father and their guests.
James has reportedly trained rigorously for her role, adding a layer of authenticity to the intense mountain-climbing sequences. Director Collet-Serra highlighted the importance of filming on location in the Dolomites with large-format cameras, which he believes will deliver a thrilling, cinematic experience. “Lily has gone above and beyond for this role,” he said. “Her dedication has allowed us to capture some incredible shots we couldn’t have achieved otherwise.”
James will also executive produce Cliffhanger under her Parodos Productions banner alongside her partner Gala Gordon. A lineup of executive producers further bolsters the project, including Amirpour and Collet-Serra, Philipp Kreuzer for Supernix, and Kwesi Dickson and Jay Taylor for Electric Shadow. Other producers include Josef Brandmaier, Katy and Jeff Most, and representatives from companies like Latigo Films and Capfilms.
The star-studded cast and unique approach to the classic action genre have generated significant interest in the reboot. The new Cliffhanger is poised to bring intense action, emotional stakes, and breathtaking alpine scenery to audiences worldwide, with a planned theatrical release anticipated to maximize its visual impact.
