Sylvester Stallone is finally returning for Cliffhanger 2 after 30 years, which only underlines his franchise issues. Perhaps more than any other movie star of his stature, Stallone quickly came to understand the value of a franchise role. The shock success of Rocky not only made his career but after his follow-up films failed to connect, Rocky II saved it. Rocky became his most iconic role, but he also had the Rambo movies and in more recent years, The Expendables, to fall back on.
When his career hit a fallow period in the early 2000s, it was once again the Rocky and Rambo movie franchises that pulled him out of the slump. There were also hit movies that failed to launch more entries as originally planned; Cobra was supposed to provide Sly with a Dirty Harry-style franchise of his own, while Judge Dredd was essentially DOA. The news that Stallone is returning for Cliffhanger 2 after so many years came as a surprise to many though, and one that highlights a career issue.
Stallone’s Cliffhanger 2 Comes After He’s Left (Or Is Leaving) His Biggest Franchises
In the last decade, Stallone has departed his three biggest properties. An ongoing dispute with the producers of the Rocky/Creed movies saw him refuse to return for Creed 3. 2019’s Rambo: Last Blood was billed as the final outing in that series, and while it’s not impossible he could be persuaded to return once more, he appears done with the part. The upcoming Expendables 4 will see Stallone’s Barney passing the torch to Jason Statham’s Christmas, and his role is said to be quite small.
Once The Expendables 4 arrives, Sly will have officially left his three biggest characters behind. Over the years, he’s spoken about potential follow-ups to everything from Cobra to Tango & Cash, but while those movies were successful in their day, they don’t have the name recognition of Rocky or even The Expendables. Cliffhanger (AKA Die Hard on a Mountain!) was a big hit for the star in 1993 and one that’s fondly remembered by his fans. That said, it never received follow-ups either, and the sequel’s sudden greenlighting highlights how few franchise options Stallone now has.
Can Cliffhanger 2 Be A Success For Sylvester Stallone?
Few details have been revealed about Cliffhanger 2, outside of Stallone reprising the role of Gabe Walker and that it will take place in the Italian Alps. Since the follow-up is arriving three decades after the original, Cliffhanger 2 will be a true test of Stallone’s star power. Cliffhanger is a great action movie, but it doesn’t feel like audiences were clamoring for a direct sequel either. That said, Stallone coming back with Rocky Balboa or Rambo 4 was also regarded with skepticism, so maybe a solidly made throwback action movie like Cliffhanger 2 could win audiences over after all.