Nearly 30 years later, Michael Mann’sHeatis set to make a comeback with a long-awaited sequel, but it seems there is a major production hurdle for the project. Based on a book co-written by Mann in 2022,Heat 2will feature a brand-new star in the lead role, and while a dispute with the studio is holding up development, it seems a major A-lister is interested in taking over the neo-noir thriller.
According to Puck, Heat 2 is currently facing difficulties behind-the-scenes due to a budget dispute with Warner Bros. The Mann-directed picture had an initial budget of $200 million, but that figure has since been brought down to $170 million. However, WB is still hesitant to greenlight the film on a hefty budget, and might be willing to partner with another studio on the production. The script, which wascompleted by Mannearlier this year, is being read by Apple to see if they are willing to co-finance the production alongside Warner Bros. Meanwhile, Leonardo DiCaprio is said to be interested in starring in the film, which could help the film secure its $170 million price tag.
While the cast forHeat 2is unconfirmed, several names have already been mentioned as potential candidates. The film, which is part sequel and prequel, has eyed Adam Driver to play a young Neil McCauley, previously played by Robert De Niro. Perhaps DiCaprio is interested in McCauley as well, or even Al Pacino’s Vincent Hanna. Meanwhile,Austin Butler has been seen as the favoriteto land the role of Chris Shiherlis, portrayed by the late Val Kilmer in the 1995 film. WhileHeathad a $60 million budget, Mann looks to up the ante with a sequel that will move between different timelines and locations.
What Is ‘Heat 2’ About?
The long-awaitedHeatsequel will be based on the 2022 novel by Michael Mann and Meg Gardiner. However, as previously mentioned, it is nota straight-up sequel, but instead a narrative that blends the past with the present (and future).Heat 2takes place immediately after the ending of the 1995 film, with Chris Shiherlis (Val Kilmer) being pursued by Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino). From there, the narrative flashes back to 1988, seven years earlier, to the earlier days of McCauley and his group’s criminal ventures. Read the official synopsis for the book:
One day after the end of Heat, Chris Shiherlis (Val Kilmer) is holed up in Koreatown, wounded, half delirious, and desperately trying to escape LA. Hunting him is LAPD detective Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino). Hours earlier, Hanna killed Shiherlis’s brother in arms Neil McCauley (De Niro) in a gunfight under the strobe lights at the foot of an LAX runway. Now Hanna’s determined to capture or kill Shiherlis, the last survivor of McCauley’s crew, before he ghosts out of the city.
In 1988, seven years earlier, McCauley, Shiherlis, and their highline crew are taking scores on the West Coast, the US-Mexican border, and now in Chicago. Driven, daring, they’re pulling in money and living vivid lives. And Chicago homicide detective Vincent Hanna’a man unreconciled with his history-is following his calling, the pursuit of armed and dangerous men into the dark and wild places, hunting an ultraviolent gang of home invaders.
Of course, Mann will have to change the dense narrative a bit to fit it into a cohesive film, but the foundation is there to create another riveting installment in theHeatuniverse (yes, that is what it is being called). It’s been said that Mann plans to shootHeat 2on film and on location, along with a bevy of stars that would rival that stacked 1995 movie cast. Judging by the book the film will be based on, Mann has a chance to one-up the original in an enthralling and thematically relevant manner.
Source:Puck
