First came word of a Heat prequel-sequel novel. Then, in the summer of 2022, Michael Mann told Empire that he wanted to make Heat 2 as a movie, teeing up a long three years of rumours, whispers, and casting hearsay. And then finally last month brought with it sweet, sweet confirmation: Heat 2 is happening, with Mann back in the director’s hotseat and Leonardo DiCaprio in talks to star. And now that the ball’s rolling, there’s just no stopping it, as Deadline is now reporting that Mann is looking to reteam with his Public Enemies star Christian Bale on the long awaited follow-up to his cat-and-mouse crime epic.
According to Deadline, Bale is circling a ‘major role’ alongside the aforementioned DiCaprio in Mann’s movie, which is set to adapt the bestselling book he co-authored with Meg Gardiner. While Deadline has previously suggested that DiCaprio is up for the role of Chris Shiherlis, played by the late Val Kilmer in Mann’s original 1995 movie, there’s no word as of yet on who Bale would potentially play here. And, with nothing officially locked in as of yet casting-wise, the Oscar-winning star of The Fighter — next to be seen in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s upcoming Bride Of Frankenstein riff The Bride! — joins the likes of Adam Driver and Austin Butler in the ranks of top talent vying for a part in what promises to be one of the biggest films of its year, whenever that may be.
For those unfamiliar with Heat 2, which takes place both before and after the events of the first film, the book chronicles the younger years of rookie cop Vincent Hanna and up-and-coming crook Neil McCauley and his gang in the 1980s, while simultaneously following Hanna’s pursuit of an on-the-run Chris Shiherlis in the present as past actions intersect with their present consequences. The sequel book does also introduce an all-new antagonist, the outright evil and downright psychopathic home invader, murderer, and rapist Otis Wardell.
With Michael Mann expecting to start production on Heat 2 next year, expect plenty more casting news on this one in the weeks and months ahead. We’re starting to feel the Heat around the corner, once again…