Michael Mann “Bored” By “Stale” Modern Action Films, Explains Why ‘Heat 2’ Adaptation Needs To Be On The Big Screen

This month saw the release of “Heat 2,” the novelization sequel to Michael Mann‘s acclaimed 1995 heist flick “Heat” that the filmmaker co-wrote with Meg Gardiner. The book wasn’t just an exercise for the director as Mann is planning to turn it into one big feature film, essentially giving us a sequel/prequel given how the story jumps between events before and after the original movie. Don’t expect Mann to pivot to a series/television version, as he seems extremely keen on giving audiences a theatrical experience.

While speaking with Total Film (via Games Radar) about “Heat 2,” Mann explains why a big screen adaptation is more appealing than doing a television series, given that he feels movies have a longer shelf life than shows traditionally do.

“There’s fantastic work in television, and for whatever reason, it has a short half-life,” he said to Total Film. “[Producer] Dino De Laurentiis, one time, said to me about television, ‘Michael, there’s a small screen, and there’s the big screen.’ That said it all, you know?”

READ MORE: Michael Mann Wants To Adapt His ‘Heat 2’ Novel Into “One Large Movie” & Would Recast With Younger Actors

This impression likely was reinforced during an Academy screening of “Heat,” where many experienced the film for the first time on the big screen, as Mann recalls the event that fellow director Christopher Nolan moderated.

“I’m not putting down television. It really is [a golden age]. But the big, cinematic experience – there’s nothing like it. When we had a screening of ‘Heat’ at the Academy, probably 80 percent of the audience had never seen it on the big screen, and the reaction was astonishing. I had the whole cast there, and [Christopher] Nolan moderated it. It’s on the Blu-ray – we had a panel discussion afterward. It was really fascinating to me to see the difference and the impact.”

Mann also gave his thoughts on modern action films, which is certainly a sentiment that many may share, although he stopped short of naming specific titles.

“I’m just bored by it. It’s not very interesting,” Mann said when talking about his impression of modern action films. “I mean, sometimes the choreography is so outrageous that it’s fascinating, and it is quite good. But generally, no. It’s just stale.”

Because of the ages of the 1995 cast, we shouldn’t expect them back in their respective roles given the prequel/sequel timeline of “Heat 2,” but who exactly will be selected remains to be seen. However, they would have to be younger than the original actors.

It’s unclear when “Heat 2” could go in front of cameras as Mann is busy at the moment, but the director promises it’ll be “a very big movie.” Mann recently started shooting his racing biopic “Ferrari” in Italy, which stars Adam Driver as Enzo Ferrari with a supporting cast that includes Penélope Cruz, Shailene Woodley, Gabriel Leone, Sarah Gadon, Jack O’Connell, and Patrick Dempsey. We’ll certainly keep an eye out for future updates on the “Heat 2” production, as we’re just as excited about it coming together as Mann sounds to be. Fingers crossed, he’ll consider doing it after completing “Ferrari.”