NEED TO KNOW
- Lily James discussed becoming a mountain-climbing “addict” thanks to her role in the upcoming Cliffhanger reboot
- “I fell completely in love with it,” she said, adding, “It’s the most mind-body-soul activity”
- James stars opposite Pierce Brosnan in the Jaume Collet-Serra film, costarring Nell Tiger Free, Franz Rogowski, Shubham Saraf, Assaad Bouab, Suzy Bemba and Bruno Gouery
Lily James is a proud mountain-climbing enthusiast, thanks to her latest movie.
The Finally Dawn actress discussed her physical investment in the upcoming Cliffhanger reboot with Pierce Brosnan in a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, published Wednesday, July 16.
While she “had the time of my life” making the Jaume Collet-Serra film, James, 36, admitted it was “so hard.”
“I did five hours of climbing a day for many weeks. I was on mountains nonstop. I fell completely in love with it,” she said. “It’s the most mind-body-soul activity.”
“And I’m a [mountain-climbing] addict now,” the Cinderella star added. “I did all my own climbing, and I got real strong. I was just pounding press-ups between every take.”
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Cliffhanger is a reboot and legacy sequel of the 1993 action-thriller that starred Sylvester Stallone. Per a press release, the new movie costars Nell Tiger Free, Franz Rogowski, Shubham Saraf, Assaad Bouab, Suzy Bemba and Bruno Gouery.
Directed by The Shallows‘ Collet-Serra, 51, it hails from Rocket Science, the production company behind The Gentlemen, All Quiet on the Western Front and last year’s Lee and The Apprentice.
“In this reboot of Cliffhanger, seasoned mountaineer Ray Cooper (Brosnan, 72) and his daughter Sydney run a mountain chalet in the Dolomites,” reads a synopsis. “During a weekend trip with a billionaire’s son, they are targeted by a gang of kidnappers. Ray’s older daughter Naomi (James), still haunted by a past climbing accident, witnesses the attack and escapes.”
James’ character must “save her family” and “fight for survival in the Italian Dolomites,” it concludes.
In a statement, Collet-Serra promised movie audiences “a truly thrilling and visceral, premium theatrical experience.”
He had particular praise for James. The Pam & Tommy star “has gone above and beyond for the role,” he said, “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,” Collet-Serra added.
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In her interview with THR, James raved that she’s “really proud of Cliffhanger” and “so excited” to see it all come together for audiences.
“We’re in the edit and getting it ready, and I’m super hopeful,” she said. “It is such a cool reimagining, and while it’s really unexpected at times, it keeps all the gripping glory of the original, I hope.”
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