Stallone's ‘Cliffhanger' Sequel Set to Shoot in September/October

Sylvester Stallone, 78, is set to return for a sequel to his 1993 action thriller “Cliffhanger.” Screen is reporting that “Cliffhanger 2” has received a major fund from the Austrian film commission and will be starting production in September/October.

The original’s Renny Harlin has been replaced by Jean-François Richet (“Mesrine”) as director, and a script by Mark Bianculli (“Hunters”) is being used to shoot the film.

Stallone will reprise his role as Ranger Gabriel “Gabe” Walker. The original was pure escapist fare, nothing more and nothing less. John Lithgow stole the show as the villainous Eric Qualen. We also have plot details coming in for ‘Cliffhanger 2’, via Screen:

Gabe is now living in the Dolomites where he runs an exclusive mountain lodge. When he and a high-profile client are taken hostage during an adventurous weekend trip, his daughter has to use all her climbing skills to outwit the kidnappers, triggering a battle of life and death.

There aren’t many 78-year-old rock climbers, but if any actor can pull it off then it’s Stallone. Whether there’s an audience for a “Cliffhanger” sequel is a whole other topic, especially one funded by Euro money, and not backed by a major studio. I presume the plan is to shoot the film and then shop it around to buyers.