Leonardo DiCaprio is reportedly in conversation to star in Heat 2, the sequel to the 1995 crime-drama feature Heat from writer-director Michael Mann. Reports also claim that the project is facing budgetary issues. The sequel, based on Mann’s 2022 book Heat 2, was initially revealed to be in development a couple of years ago.
Heat 2 could star Leonardo DiCaprio
Matthew Belloni of Puck claimed in the site’s “What I’m Hearing” newsletter that Leonardo DiCaprio is in talks to join the cast of Heat 2. The Oscar-winner reportedly talked with Mann about the sequel. If he boards the movie, his presence in the cast can potentially move the project forward.
Before the Hollywood strikes of 2023, outlets such as Deadline reported that Mann wanted to make Heat 2 as his next feature and that Adam Driver was in talks to play the younger version of Robert De Niro’s Neil McCauley from the original movie. Notably, Mann and Driver worked together on the 2023 film Ferrari.
In October that year, Mann confirmed to Deadline that he was indeed making Heat 2 as his next feature. On Driver’s potential casting as a young McCauley, the veteran filmmaker said, “Perhaps. We don’t talk about that yet. Let me put it this way: Adam and I got along like a house on fire [on Ferrari]. We have the same work ethic – which is pretty intense. We like each other, and we had a great time working together artistically.”
Since then, there have been rumors about Al Pacino reprising the role of Vincent Hanna, Austin Butler playing Chris Shiherlis, and Ana de Armas essaying the role of McCauley’s love interest. Val Kilmer portrayed Shiherlis in the original.
Heat 2 facing budget setbacks
Belloni also claimed in the newsletter that Heat 2 is experiencing budgetary problems at Warner Bros. The studio has apparently expressed interest in making the movie. However, Mann’s initial plans for the project included a budget that exceeded $200 million. Although he brought it down to $170 million, it was still too much for Warner Bros. And now, he and the studio are reportedly trying to negotiate the matter.
Mann penned the Heat 2 novel with Meg Gardiner. It serves both as a prequel and a sequel to Heat and follows a storyline encompassing 12 years between 1988 and 2000. In March 2025, Mann disclosed during an interview with Vulture that he had submitted the first draft of Heat 2’s script at Warner Bros. At the time of this article’s composition, Heat 2 doesn’t have an official release date.
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