Cliffhanger 2: Release date, cast, plot for long-awaited Sylvester Stallone sequel
Sylvester Stallone will return as mountain climber Gabe Walker
Cliffhanger 2 was not a sequel announcement anybody was expecting in 2023. After all, the first film came out 30 years ago this month.
A sequel was originally announced shortly after the mega success of the first film with Sylvester Stallone on board to return as mountain climber Gabe Walker but the project ended up trapped in development hell even as the Rocky star found renewed success returning to other old characters.
The surprise announcement of a Cliffhanger 2 was made earlier this month and will be a direct sequel to the original. The film will be shopped at this year's Cannes Film Festival to find a distributor.
Read more: Why isn't Sylvester Stallone in Creed III?
Read on for everything we know about Cliffhanger 2.
What is Cliffhanger 2 about?
Cliffhanger 2 will be a sequel to the 1993 action classic and will follow on from the original but be set 30 years later. The film will follow Gabe Walker (the lead character in the first movie) and daughter who has followed him into a career in mountaineering.
Cliffhanger 2 will also be set in the Italian Alps and is being compared to Creed and Top Gun: Maverick in terms of its approach to the story.
Who will star in Cliffhanger 2?
Sylvester Stallone is returning to one of his most successful standalone movies as Gabe Walker. Given that the action hero is now 76, it remains to be seen just how much mountaineering Stallone will be doing but age hasn't stopped him before.
Reviving Cliffhanger will be the third time Stallone has returned to a classic role after a long time away. He reprised his role as Rocky in Rocky Balboa and later the Creed movies and has also twice returned as Rambo.
Stallone is the only name attached to the film at present with casting underway for the other roles.
Who is directing Cliffhanger 2?
The original Cliffhanger was directed by Renny Harlin who was also behind other action movies such as Die Hard 2, The Long Kiss Goodnight and Deep Blue Sea but he won't be returning for the sequel.
In the directors chair is Ric Roman Waugh who has directed Snitch, Shot Caller and Felon. He has also collaborated with Gerard Butler twice – on Angel Has Fallen and Greenland.
Read more: Sylvester Stallone set for Kardashians-style reality show with The Family Stallone
Before becoming a director, Waugh worked as a stuntman including on Stallone's Tango and Cash.
When will Cliffhanger 2 be released?
Cliffhanger 2 has yet to start filming so a release date is still some time away. Expect a 2025 release.
