20 Recent Casting Choices NOBODY Expected

A follow-up to the 1993 Sylvester Stallone-starring action thriller Cliffhanger has been in development pretty much ever since the original blew up the box office, but it's never quite come to fruition - until now.

Even in recent years Stallone was expected to star in the sequel once again, no matter that he turns 80 next July, and last October it was suddenly announced that the new Cliffhanger movie had actually started shooting.

More to the point, it was no longer a sequel to the Stallone film but an all-out reboot, with a new protagonist being played by a most unexpected actor - Lily James.

James, who is best known for her performances in the likes of Downton Abbey, Cinderella, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, and Pam and Tommy, doesn't seem like a natural physical fit on paper at all.

But to James' enormous credit, she's enhanced her typically slender frame and hit the gym - that is to say, she's looking positively ripped in behind-the-scenes photos from the film.

James' acting talent was certainly never in doubt, but she's also clearly put in the physical work to convince as a hardy climber.