Cliffhanger Reboot Lawsuit Reveals Sylvester Stallone’s Exit Motive

A Cliffhanger reboot is being launched in 2026 with out unique solid member Sylvester Stallone, and a lawsuit simply uncovered the reality about why the motion star is not returning. After a number of Rocky and Rambo motion pictures, Stallone filmed a thriller referred to as Cliffhanger, during which he performed a mountain rescue ranger who makes an attempt to outmaneuver a gang of criminals within the Rocky Mountains.

A Cliffhanger sequel was finally put in growth, however then in 2024, Stallone dropped out of the undertaking, forcing the film studio to transform the sequel as a reboot.

The rationale for Stallone’s exit wasn’t revealed on the time, however in keeping with a lawsuit filed by producer Neal Moritz in opposition to the monetary backers of the movie (by way of Selection), cash and scheduling conflicts performed central roles in Stallone’s disappointing transfer.

Movie distribution firm Rocket Science Industries allegedly agreed to shell out a $2.5 million producer charge however then by no means adopted by, in keeping with the producer.

Stallone was presupposed to obtain his charge upfront, with manufacturing on the Cliffhanger sequel set to start in fall 2023 forward of the actor returning for Tulsa King season 2. Moritz claimed within the lawsuit that Rocket Science “refused to ensure Stallone’s charge.”

“However Rocket Science did not safe Stallone’s dedication to do the Image as a result of it refused to ensure Stallone’s charge.”

Since Rocket Science had allegedly agreed to the charge from the beginning, Moritz and his fellow producers, together with Toby Jaffe, went forward and made a sizzle reel that includes motion star Stallone that may be introduced to gross sales brokers. The sizzle reel ended up being for naught as a result of the difficulty with Rocket Science meant Stallone hadn’t signed a contract but.

Manufacturing was delayed, resulting in Jean-François Richet changing Ric Roman Waugh as director, with Melanie Toast serving to the group on a brand new script.

Regardless of everybody’s hopes that Stallone would be capable to return, the manufacturing delay meant he would’ve needed to movie the Cliffhanger sequel on the identical time he was anticipated again on the set of Tulsa King, which was an not possible battle to iron out.

The actor needed to preserve his promise to the Taylor Sheridan-created TV present and by no means negotiated a deal for Cliffhanger.

In spite of everything of that turbulence, Rocket Science confronted monetary points, which executives on the firm claimed had been the results of Stallone’s exit. Because of this, they allegedly tried to place off paying Moritz and Jaffe. Lenders supposedly would solely present financing for the movie if Moritz and Jaffe agreed to that postponement.

The lawsuit referred to as it a “extremely uncommon” maneuver for “a producer of Moritz’s stature to defer everything of the producer’s charge.” Moritz fearful {that a} delay might imply the potential for “by no means getting the total agreed-upon charge or presumably not even any portion of the charge.”

“Though the deferral of producer charges sometimes takes place in reference to making impartial movement footage, it’s extremely uncommon for requests to be made to a producer of Moritz’s stature to defer everything of the producer’s charge. The issue with the deferral of producer charges isn’t just that the producer will get paid later than she or he was presupposed to be paid, however deferral could end result within the producer by no means getting the total agreed-upon charge or presumably not even any portion of the charge.”

With Stallone gone, the Cliffhanger producers determined to show their sequel right into a reboot. The brand new leads will likely be Lily James and James Bond alum Pierce Brosnan, with Jaume Collet-Serra as one more substitute director.

As of this writing, a decision between the producers (together with Moritz) and Rocket Science hasn’t been reached.

It is unclear if this lawsuit will trigger the Cliffhanger reboot’s launch date to be delayed. For now, it is anticipated to reach in theaters on August 28, 2026.

Together with James and Brosnan, the movie will even star Nell Tiger Free, Franz Rogowski, Shubham Saraf, Assaad Bouab, Suzy Bemba and Bruno Gouery.

The plot will focus on Naomi Cooper (James), sister Sydney Cooper (Free) and her mountaineer father Ray Cooper (Brosnan), who’re caught off guard when a gaggle of kidnappers assaults them. Naomi makes an attempt to avoid wasting her household after escaping.

Cliffhanger will likely be launched in theaters on Friday, August 28, 2026.