Downton Abbey star is unlikely replacement for Sylvester Stallone in classic 90s film remake-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro

The Cliffhanger reboot has a new lead star… (Picture: Studio Canal; Getty)

In an unlikely casting, Lily James has replaced Sylvester Stallone in the reboot of Cliffhanger.

The 78-year-old action legend was set to reprise his role as Ranger Gabriel ‘Gabe’ Walker in the remake of the 1993 action thriller.

However, this week it was confirmed that Lily, 35, and former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan, 71, will now lead the movie.

The cast also includes Nell Tiger Free, Franz Rogowski, Shubham Saraf, Assaad Bouab, Suzy Bemba and Bruno Gouery.

Jaume Collet-Serra is taking over to direct the flick, meaning Ric Roman Waugh is no longer taking the helm.

Pierce will portray mountaineer Ray Cooper and Lily is his daughter Naomi, who has to ‘save her family’ and ‘fight for survival in the Italian Dolomites’.

Lily James has started filming for the 90s remake (Picture: Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Lily is known for roles such as Mamma Mia! and Downton Abbey (Picture: Nick Briggs)

James Bond legend Pierce Brosnan, and Mamma Mia! 2 co-star Pierce Brosnan also stars (Picture: Lou Benoist/AFP via Getty Images)

The synopsis reads: ‘In this reboot of Cliffhanger, seasoned mountaineer Ray Cooper (Pierce Brosnan) and his daughter Sydney run a mountain chalet in the Dolomites.

‘During a weekend trip with a billionaire’s son, they are targeted by a gang of kidnappers. Ray’s older daughter Naomi (Lily James), still haunted by a past climbing accident, witnesses the attack and escapes.’

The first pictures from the movie have also been shared, showing Lily scaling a mountain just like Stallone did.

The Darkest Hour actress underwent real training to learn how to climb to achieve the epic shots.

Filming is currently underway in Austria, Germany and Italy.

Collet-Serra said in a statement: ‘Shooting our movie on location in the Dolomites using large format cameras was imperative for us to show the scope and scale of the story we’re telling.

First-look photos show her in action (Picture: Rocket Science)

Lily has well and truly thrown herself into the part (Picture: Rocket Science)

Sylvester Stallone played Ranger Gabriel ‘Gabe’ Walker in 1993 (Picture: StudioCanal/REX/Shutterstock)

‘We’re going to bring the audience a truly thrilling and visceral, premium theatrical experience. Lily in particular has gone above and beyond for the role, putting in real training and learning to climb.

‘Her dedication has allowed us to capture some incredible shots we couldn’t have achieved otherwise, and the whole crew is blown away by her commitment.’

The original movie achieved major success, with its $70million (£54m) budget grossing $255million (£197m) at the box office.

Cliffhanger was also nominated for three Oscars for best sound, best sound effects editing, and best visual effects, but lost out on them all to Jurassic Park’.

The film was based on a concept by climber John Long and followed Gabe (Stallone), a mountain climber who becomes embroiled in a heist of a US Treasury plane flying through the Rocky Mountains.

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