Key Takeaways:
– Sylvester Stallone’s action film Cliffhanger took inspiration from the action genre giant Bruce Willis’ hit Die Hard.
– Cliffhanger’s storyline was formulated based on the ‘Die Hard on the mountain’ concept.
– Rock star David Bowie was initially pursued to play the antagonist in Cliffhanger.
– Ultimately, scheduling conflicts led to John Lithgow’s casting as the villain Eric Qualen.
Setting The Pace for Movie-like Action
The hallways of Hollywood’s action film history are adorned with classics like Die Hard. Portraying Bruce Willis as a New York City police detective, the movie flavorfully blended tense action sequences and an engaging storyline, earning its place as one of the remarkable all-time action flicks. This Willis’ action-thriller classic served as a beacon of inspiration, influencing the creation of other iconic films including Under Siege, Speed, and The Rock.
Spawning Stallone’s Cliffhanger
Of the many movies inspired by Die Hard, Sylvester Stallone’s Cliffhanger holds a unique place. The 90’s classic, entrenched in adrenaline-pumping sequences and Stallone’s trademark grit, would not have come into existence without its predecessor, Willis’ masterpiece. The inspiration was echoed in a 20th Anniversary special when co-producer Gene Hines revealed how a mountain climbing TV show and the success of Die Hard spurred the creation of Cliffhanger.
However, producing the storyline was an uphill endeavor for the team. They grappled to frame a gripping narrative around mountain climbing until the idea of ‘Die Hard on the mountain’ emerged. This concept served as a stepping stone for developing the storyline for Cliffhanger.
Roped in to direct the Stallone starrer was Renny Harlin, the director of Die Hard 2, along with a screenplay from Michael France and Sylvester Stallone. As expected, Cliffhanger became a box office hit, pulling in over $255 million worldwide, reinforcing Die Hard’s legacy of influencing successful action films.
The Villain Casting That Almost Happened
A successful film is an amalgamation of a captivating storyline, impactful direction, and performances by both the protagonist and antagonist. Cliffhanger was no exception, with John Lithgow portraying the formidable villain, Eric Qualen.
However, director Renny Harlin initially had his eyes set on rock icon David Bowie to bring the character of Qualen to life. He revealed this in an exclusive interview with SlashFilm. Despite relentless pursuit and exhaustive discussions, scheduling conflicts hindered Bowie’s participation in Cliffhanger. Ultimately, the role went to Lithgow, who delivered a phenomenal performance, contributing to the movie’s success.
Bruce Willis’ Die Hard and Sylvester Stallone’s Cliffhanger, both movie marvels, reiterate that a blend of imagination, influence, and execution can craft classic action films. They both show how movies can inspire others, create new stars, and even almost include rock icons in their ensemble cast.
Despite the what-ifs surrounding David Bowie’s potential involvement in Cliffhanger, the film scores high as an adrenaline-infused action film that fans can relish. Both Die Hard and Cliffhanger are available for rent and streaming on Amazon Prime.
