Cliffhanger 2, the highly anticipated follow-up to Sylvester Stallone’s ’90s classic, gets a filming start update. Directed by Renny Harlin, the original Cliffhanger, which was released in 1993, revolves around Stallone’s character Gabe Walker, a search-and-rescue mountain climber who is hired to help rescue a band of criminals from the Rocky Mountains after they accidentally lose their loot. The original movie was well-received, earning $255 million worldwide. Despite this reception, Cliffhanger 2 did not materialize until years later; the official development announcement came in 2023.
Cliffhanger 2 has yet to receive a release date, but according to ScreenDaily, the forthcoming movie is set to begin filming in the fall. This was revealed in a larger report about various projects receiving special funding via Austria’s filming incentive program. Production will take place at various locations in Austria and Bavaria. French screenwriter and director Jean-Francois Richet will helm the project.
Will Cliffhanger 2 Be A Success For Sylvester Stallone?
Cliffhanger 2 Could Be A Unique Action Movie For Today
Though the details about Cliffhanger 2 have been mostly kept under wraps, it has already been confirmed that Sylvester Stallone will be returning to reprise his role as Gabe Walker, now marking about 30 years since he first played the character. While some were slightly critical of the original release, the movie got mostly great reviews. Stallone’s impressive performance was seen as a standout in an action-packed thriller that enforced the veteran’s talent. As the actor rose to fame in action-heavy roles, Cliffhanger fit in perfectly with his filmography, and its sequel can do the same.
Outside of Stallone’s standout performance, another major reason why Cliffhanger was so successful was because it felt mostly practical and real. While there have been huge technological advancements since the release of the original movie, it would help Cliffhanger 2’s chances of success if things are kept practical instead of heavily relying on visual effects like most movies do now. A more grounded approach would only make the action more exciting, and thus help it stand out among other new movies in the genre.
Seeing as Stallone will not be in quite the same physical condition he was when he first filmed the original Cliffhanger, it will be interesting to see how Richet strikes a balance between preserving what made the original so successful and smartly employing VFX. Another interesting thing to consider is if actors like Michael Rooker and Janine Turner will also return to reprise their roles. Their involvement could definitely impact the chances of Cliffhanger 2’s success, which so far looks fairly promising.