Michael Mann’s long-in-the-works “Heat 2” may finally be locking into place, and the new details are a big one for anyone wondering how the filmmaker would recast the original film’s most iconic roles.
According to TheWrap, the rumors have been confirmed, Christian Bale and Leonardo DiCaprio are set to star in Mann’s sequel, which is now expected to begin filming in November. The outlet reports that Bale will play Vincent Hanna, the obsessive LAPD Robbery-Homicide detective originated by Al Pacino, while DiCaprio will play Chris Shiherlis, the professional thief originally played by Val Kilmer. Two individuals told TheWrap that the deals are closed, while two others said they are in final negotiations and expected to close. A spokesperson for Amazon MGM Studios, however, said no deals have been finalized.
Word on the street is many actors will be working for scale, or way less than they normally quote, at least the non-leads—though that’s likely not the case for DiCaprio, who usually lands in the ballpark of $20 million per picture— and many more A-list names are waiting in the wings to be announced if their deals close.
That caveat matters, but the role breakdown is still the clearest picture yet of what Mann is assembling. “Heat 2” is based on the 2022 novel Mann co-wrote with Meg Gardiner, and the story functions as both a prequel and sequel to his 1995 crime epic, moving before and after the events of “Heat.” Mann is returning to write and direct.
TheWrap also reports that Adam Driver is being sought to play the villain Wardell and is deep in negotiations, while Stephen Graham is in talks to play Neil McCauley, the role originated by Robert De Niro. The outlet adds that several actresses are circling the role of Sharlene, played in the original film by Ashley Judd, with other A-list names also around the project.
And then there is Jason Clarke, whose role remains unconfirmed. Pure speculation, but if you are looking at the board, Nate — the underworld fixer played by Jon Voight in the original film — feels like the smart-money guess. The “Heat 2” novel opens moments after the end of “Heat,” with Chris Shiherlis wounded and on the run, and Nate giving him a crucial assist almost immediately.
Several major “Heat 2” roles still appear to be unannounced, including Michael Cheritto, originally played by Tom Sizemore; Gilbert Trejo, originally played by Danny Trejo; Charlene Shiherlis, originally played by Ashley Judd; Hanna’s colleagues Casals and Drucker, originally played by Wes Studi and Mykelti Williamson, respectively; and major novel characters like Ana Liu, Elisa, Gabriela, and Wardell’s crew.
Ana and Elisa, in particular, could be sizable parts: Ana becomes a major figure in Chris Shiherlis’ South American storyline as he recovers from his wounds, while Elisa is central to Neil McCauley’s past. And from what we hear, top-shelf names are scrambling to be part of the film regardless of part size, meaning Mann’s sequel could end up with an absurdly stacked ensemble (the name we’ve heard for Ashley Judd’s part is huge, but very much unofficial right now).
The sequel has had a long road to production. Amazon MGM landed the project after Warner Bros. dropped it over budget concerns, with TheWrap reporting that the budget had reached $200 million at Warners and is now closer to $170 million. The production is also receiving nearly $40 million from California’s tax incentive program.
Jerry Bruckheimer, Scott Stuber, and Nick Nesbitt are producing, with Shane Salerno and Eric Roth executive producing. The film also marks Mann and Bruckheimer’s first collaboration in 45 years, dating back to Mann’s 1981 theatrical debut, “Thief.”
The original “Heat” was released in 1995 and remains one of Mann’s defining works, led by Pacino, De Niro, Kilmer, Judd, Tom Sizemore, Diane Venora, Amy Brenneman, Natalie Portman, and Voight. TheWrap notes that the film grossed $187.4 million on a $60 million budget and has remained one of Warner Bros.’ strongest rental titles.
The obvious selling point here is the pairing of DiCaprio and Bale, two actors who have circled major filmmaker-driven projects for decades but have never co-starred in a movie together. Mann and DiCaprio have also nearly worked together before: Mann was once attached to direct “The Aviator” before Martin Scorsese ultimately made the film.
If everything holds, “Heat 2” will begin shooting in November.
Rodrigo Perez is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Playlist, which he launched in 2008. He has worked in entertainment journalism since 2000, including at MTV, and has written for SPIN, IndieWire, Pitchfork, Complex, Magnet, and various music, film, and entertainment publications over the past two decades.
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