Heat 2: Confirmation, Story & Everything We Know




The director Michael Mann is working on Heat 2, the follow-up and prequel to the 1995 crime epic Heat. The sequel to Heat, which is based on Mann and Meg Gardiner's novel of the same name, will continue the story of Chris Shiherlis (Val Kilmer), Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro), and Lieutenant Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) both before and after the disastrous bank heist in the first film. Despite being one of the most anticipated upcoming projects, not much is known about the sequel outside of its plot.

Pacino, De Niro, and Kilmer all gave standout performances in the first film, which won numerous awards and is now considered a classic. The wait has been long, as the Heat 2 will be released at least thirty years after the first, though the exact date is still unknown. It certainly helps that Ferrari driver Adam Driver is reportedly in negotiations to play a young Neil McCauley in the Heat sequel, but the legacy sequel still has a chance to be a success.

Latest News on Heat 2

Since the project's announcement, Michael Mann has been the only person to provide information about it. Now, the renowned director has provided another script update for Heat 2. An important milestone in the pre-production stage of the film was reached when Mann disclosed that he had "just finished the screenplay and handed in the first draft." He specifically stated that he has been collaborating with Warner Bros., but he hinted that he was unable to make any additional announcements due to ongoing behind-the-scenes negotiations.

Although Mann has revealed numerous script updates in the past, his most recent announcement seems certain. Warner Bros. will probably request revisions and more drafts before deciding on the project, but it's unclear what will happen next. As of right now, the production schedule for Heat 2 is unclear.

It is confirmed that Heat 2 is being developed.

The Heat sequel was officially confirmed to be happening in April 2023 after Heat 2 received approval in 2023 (via Deadline). The announcement disclosed that Warner Bros. was considering a role for Adam Driver, who was reportedly in negotiations to play Neil McCauley. Mann has subsequently stated that the screenplay is still in progress. Mann claimed to have finished the first draft and submitted it to Warner Bros. in March 2025, but it's unclear what will happen to the project after that.

Details of the Heat 2 Cast

Regarding the cast of Heat 2, no formal announcements have been made. But according to reports, Adam Driver (Marriage Story, Ferrari) was in negotiations to play the younger version of Robert DeNiro's character, Neil McCauley, the professional thief in the Heat cast. Although Adam Driver has mentioned appearing in Heat 2, the highly sought-after Hollywood actor has not confirmed or denied his involvement. Additionally, Michael Mann has stated unequivocally that the casting process has not yet started.

Michael Mann's book of the same name served as the inspiration for the Heat 2 story. There are hints as to which roles need to be filled because it functions as both a prequel and a sequel to Heat. Younger versions of the core trio from Heat would need to be cast in Heat 2, as Vincent Hanna and Chris Shiherlis also appear in the story alongside McCauley. Although it's unclear if Pacino, De Niro, or Kilmer will be returning, parts of the Heat sequel's plot also take place after the first film.

Details of the Heat 2 Story

The August 2022 novel of the same name by Michael Mann and author Meg Gardiner will be adapted into the Heat 2 film. Heat 2's storyline occurs both before and after Heat's events. While the prequel parts of the story show that Neil McCauley, Vincent Hanna, and Chris Shiherlis have a much more entwined past than they realize, the sequel parts of the story focus on the events that followed the first film.

In the prequel parts of the Heat 2 story, McCauley and Hanna are both pursuing the same man, Otis Wardell, a vicious murderer with a reputation for savagery. Hanna believes that Wardell is a violent psychopath who must be removed from society. For McCauley, he’s a dangerous presence in Chicago’s criminal underworld - a disruption to the master thief’s plans, and one he nearly finds himself a victim of more than once.

Many of the sequel parts of the story take place when Wardell returns, which is five years after the events of Heat. There is a vicious shootout on the 105 Highway after Chris Shiherlis, Hanna, and Wardell end up back in Los Angeles. Although there may be some plot changes in the Heat 2 film, this is essentially the story that is anticipated to be told because Michael Mann has made it apparent that the success of the book is what inspired him to create the film.

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