When word got out that Sylvester Stallone was strapping on his climbing gear as Gabriel Walker for a sequel to Renny Harlin’s Cliffhanger, we at JoBlo could barely contain our excitement. Getting behind the camera for Cliffhanger 2, a follow-up to what is objectively one of Stallone’s best films, is Ric Roman Waugh (Greenland, Angel Has Fallen), who recently spoke with Collider‘s Steve Weintraub about plot details for Walker’s next climb.
One year after starring alongside Estelle Getty in the familial comedy Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot, Sylvester Stallone strapped in for a nerve-jangling blockbuster with Cliffhanger. Directed by Renny Harlin from a screenplay co-written by Stallone and Michael France, Cliffhanger finds the Italian Stallion in the role of Gabe Walker, a Colorado Rockies Ranger on the road to recovery after a botched rescue mission. After being pulled back onto the job by an alarming distress call, Gabe and his climbing partners find themselves at the mercy of John Lithgow’s Eric Qualen and his merry band of criminal scum. Suddenly, the story transforms into a harrowing tale of redemption and survival.
Speaking with Collider about the sequel, Waugh said Stallone would pass the torch to his co-star in Cliffhanger 2, welcoming the next generation into an adventure in the Alps.
“So, the way that he passed the torch to Michael B. Jordan in Creed, you know, off the Rocky franchise, Stallone’s character will be, of the age he is now – Gabe Walker – he’s got a daughter, he’s got an heir apparent, pseudo son, and they have a mountaineering company, Italian Alps. Tragedy strikes that’s very similar to what happened in the original movie, so that father and daughter have to deal with that and how to overcome tragedy. How do we get through traumatic experiences and fight to move forward? It’s what extreme sports like climbing are all about. And of course, there might be some nefarious bad guys that show up in the Italian Alps, and all hell breaks loose.”
That plot sounds like a chef’s kiss to me! Passing the gloves to Michael B. Jordan’s Adonis Creed is one of the smartest moves Stallone could have made for the Rocky franchise, and there’s a good chance a similar move will work for Cliffhanger 2.
Check out Collider‘s full report for more comments from Waugh about the upcoming sequel, including how naming the follow-up could work.
Are you excited about Stallone’s Cliffhanger 2? Who would you cast as the villain? Feel free to let us know in the comments.
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