Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Director Michael Mann has offered a fresh update onHeat 2, the sequel to the 1995 film starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. Mann shared that the sequel is likely to feature a new cast instead of relying on CGI to bring back De Niro and Pacino. The upcoming film will be based on Mann and Meg Gardiner’s 2022 novel of the same name, with Mann handling the screenplay.
Mann wrote the script for the first film in 1979, initially intended for a television pilot. The unsuccessful pilot then turned into a television film titledL.A. Takedown. In 1994, Mann again took up the script, this time adapting it into a theatrical feature film.
Also Read:Unlike Al Pacino, Martin Scorsese Couldn’t Care Less About GOAT Music Icon Eminem Despite Having 1 Thing in Common
Heat 2Director Not Interested To Use CGI To Revive Al Pacino And Robert De Niro
WhenMichael Mannappeared for an upcoming episode of The Playlist’sThe Discoursepodcast, one big news he had to share was about the upcomingHeatsequel. However, the original film’s fans might be slightly disappointed to learn thatAl PacinoandRobert De Nirowill not be reprising their roles in the sequel. He revealed that the new film will serve as both a prequel and a sequel toHeat,unfolding in two timelines, likeThe Godfather Part II.
Mann clarified his disinterest in using the CGI de-aging tech, which was previously used in films likeThe IrishmanandIndiana Jones 5. According to Mann, the narrative of the new film starts eight years prior to the events of the 1995 film. He further revealed that the casting for the film would be made only after he completes the screenplay, thanking Warner Bros. for their patience. Mann added that he is currently in the midst of writing the script. Mann shared withThe Playlist:
“It’s going to be a combination [of CG and makeup]. And so, it won’t be [Robert De Niro] and Al [Pacino] playing McCauley and Hanna. And it actually starts eight years earlier than the movie. It starts in 1988, and then it’s gonna jump to 2000. But I don’t really know who to cast until I’ve actually written the screenplay, but I’m in the middle of writing the screenplay right now. And Warner Bros. have been very patient.”
WhileMartin Scorsesemanaged to successfully use the CGI de-aging technique in his filmThe Irishman,James Mangoldfailed in parts to get the technique right.Harrison Ford‘s face often looked video gamey inIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, not to mention that the CGI scenes were a bit pointless.
The new cast has some big shoes to fill, and reports suggest thatAdam Drivercould be playing a young Neil McCauley, De Niro’s character (via Deadline). The news came after Driver collaborated with Mann in his latest filmFerrari. Notably, Mann and Meg Gardiner’s book became one of the biggest publications of 2022.
Also Read:“They’re going to hate it in Hollywood”: Scarface Actor Revealed Martin Scorsese’s 1 Warning After Director Nearly Directed Al Pacino’s Classic
Michael Mann Has No Plans To MakeHeat 2Into A Series
Michael Mann was also asked if he ever had an idea to makeHeat 2into a TV series. This question was based on Mann pitching theHeatscript as an NBC television pilot in the late ‘80s. Mann admitted that he had the temptation but resisted it, and decided that he was only interested in telling the story as a feature film. Mann shared:
“Sure, but I’m not interested in doing it as a long form. I’m only interested in doing it as a movie, same scale as the 1995 film.”
Heatwas a critical and commercial success, grossing $187 million against a budget of $60 million. It is regarded as one of the most influential films in the genre, although, regrettably, it also served as a bad influence in some cases like the 1997 North Hollywood shootout (via ScreenRant).
Also Read:The Godfather 2: Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, and James Caan Weren’t the Highest-Paid Actors of the Franchise That Led to the Firing of One Key Character from Sequel
Heatis now available for streaming on Netflix.
Hashim Asraff
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3020
Hashim Asraff is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, with over 2,800 articles published on celebrity culture, comic book movies, and major TV franchises. With a background in Sociology and a keen interest in pop culture, Hashim brings a unique lens to breaking news stories, character deep-dives, film rankings, and fan-driven perspectives.His coverage often includes the MCU, DCU, hit network shows, and celebrity profiles, giving readers a rich blend of entertainment and analysis. A longtime fan of crime and investigative series, Hashim has watched thousands of episodes of NCIS, Criminal Minds, Law & Order: SVU, Bones, Blue Bloods, and The RookieA passionate storyteller and wordsmith, Hashim has also worked as a ghostwriter and managed multiple social media handles. He brought his writing expertise to FandomWire to also pursue his lifelong love for cinema and television.
