‘Heat 2’: Production on Michael Mann’s Star-Studded Sequel Has Been Delayed!!

Fans of Michael Mann‘s cops-and-robbers crime epic Heat have been waiting over 30 years for a sequel, and now it looks like they might have to wait a little longer. While Heat 2 is finally in the works, it looks like its production has been delayed. That’s according to star Stephen Graham, who will play Neil McCauley, the role originated by Robert De Niro, in the film.

Based on the 2022 novel by Mann and Meg Gardiner, Heat 2 serves as both a sequel and a prequel to Heat. Some sections of the novel take place before the events of the 1995 film, with safe cracker McCauley and his crew pulling off scores in Chicago, where their future nemesis, Detective Vincent Hanna, remains one step behind them. Chicago is also where they first meet the sociopathic criminal Otis Wardell, who will haunt all parties for years to come. Other sections of the novel take place after the film, where Wardell comes into the characters’ lives once more.

While appearing on The Today Show to promote his new Apple TV series Nocturne, in which he plays an imprisoned serial killer, Adolescence star Graham also discussed his upcoming projects, including a sequel to the WWII naval thriller Greyhound and the much-anticipated Heat 2. Mann originally planned to shoot the film in August, which was then delayed to November. Now, it seems as if it will be even later: According to Graham, he’s planning to begin the shoot in January. The movie has already had a troubled production history, as Warner Bros. balked at the proposed budget, allowing the project to be picked up by Amazon MGM Studios, instead.

Who Else Stars in ‘Heat 2’?

Appropriately, Heat 2 is one of the hottest projects in Hollywood, attracting top-flight talent. Christian Bale will play Hanna, who was originally played by Al Pacino. Chris Shiherlis, McCauley’s right-hand man and the only survivor of his crew, will be played by Leonardo DiCaprio, taking over from the late Val Kilmer. Technical expert Kelso, who was played by the late Tom Noonan, will be portrayed by Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Chris’ wife Charlene, who was played by Ashley Judd, will be portrayed by Odessa Young. New characters Otis Wardell and Gabriela will be played by Adam Driver and Maria Cid, respectively.