EXCLUSIVE: In an eight-figure deal, understood to be the biggest out of this year’s TIFF market so far, new U.S. distributor Row K has taken rights to the Cliffhanger reboot starring Pierce Brosnan and Lily James.
The reimagining of the 1993 classic, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra (Carry-On), is currently in post-production and is being lined for a 3,000 screen stateside theatrical release in 2026.
The film will follow a seasoned mountaineer, Ray Cooper (Brosnan), who operates a luxury chalet in the Dolomites with his daughter, Sydney. During a weekend trip with a billionaire’s son, they are targeted by a gang of kidnappers. Ray’s daughter Naomi (James), still haunted by a past climbing accident, witnesses the attack and escapes. To save her family, she must confront her fears and fight for survival.
Pic is written by Ana Lily Amirpour, Sasha Penn, Mark Bianculli, and Melanie Toast. Producers include Lars Sylvest of Thank You Pictures, Joe Neurauter of Supernix, Thorsten Schumacher of Rocket Science, and Neal Moritz and Toby Jaffe.
The acquisition was negotiated on behalf of the filmmakers by CAA Media Finance, which is representing domestic rights. Rocket Science is handling international sales.
The deal marks Row K’s third buy out of TIFF since its launch this August, following Gus Van Sant’s Dead Man’s Wire starring Bill Skarsgård, Dacre Montgomery, Cary Elwes, Myha’la, Colman Domingo, and Al Pacino; and Tom Dean and Mac Eldridge’s Charlie Harper starring Nick Robinson and Emilia Jones.
“Cliffhanger is an exciting addition to Row K’s growing slate and a clear example of the kind of event-level films we are bringing to the marketplace,” said MCT Principals and Row K Co-Chairman Christopher Woodrow and Raj Singh. “We are building a pipeline of star-driven titles made for the big screen, and Cliffhanger checks every box. Our third acquisition underscores the momentum we’re generating, and the type of ambitious, audience-forward distribution model Row K was designed to deliver.”
“What drew me to Jaume Collet-Serra’s Cliffhanger is how it blends the adrenaline and scale of a classic action movie with a fresh, modern twist – exactly the experience that younger audiences are showing up for,” added Row K President Megan Colligan. “The original Cliffhanger was celebrated for its mountain cinematography, and this reimagining honors that legacy with sweeping backdrops across Europe – the result is a stunning production built for theaters.”
As we revealed during the TIFF market, there are early stage talks about a sequel to the reboot. The 1993 original, which took $255M global, starred Sylvester Stallone with Renny Harlin directing.
Row K, backed by Media Capital Technologies, takes its name from the seat often considered the best view in the theater. The company recently appointed Mo Rhim as Chief Revenue Officer, Ben Carlson as Chief Marketing Officer, and Steve Garrett as Head of Distribution and Acquisitions.
