Update on Michael Mann’s ‘Heat 2’

In a recent interview with Uproxx, Michael Mann reaffirms his interest in a Vietnam-set project, possibly Mark Bowden’s “Hue 1968”, about the war’s turning-point Tet Offensive. I do wonder if it’s still being worked on as a 10-part FX series or has potentially been reshaped as a feature length film.

Mann also references another project he’s working on, a sci-fi feature, but when asked for more details, responds: “I can’t talk about it!”

However, most intriguingly, things seem be revving up when it comes to Mann’s actual next project. The Guardian is reporting that Mann’s “Heat” sequel is definitely happening. In fact, it’s going to be his next film.

The Film Stage is echoing the UK paper with their own report, via “strong sources,” that Warner Bros. is supposedly ready to allocate a big budget to the hotly anticipated sequel and that almost every hot young star in the biz has been trying to get cast in Mann’s film — they include Channing Tatum and Jeremy Allen White, who have apparently made their interest actively known.

We already know that Adam Driver will most likely take on the role of Neil MacCauley (originally played by Robert De Niro). Other actors who were rumoured to have been offered roles in the film include Al Pacino, Austin Butler, Ana de Armas.

The film is an adaptation of Mann’s own published novel, which became a New York Times #1 best-seller in August 2022 — it’s a continuation of the “Heat” saga. The setting takes place both before and after the original, utilizing flashbacks in the same vein as in The Godfather Part II, and largely focusing on Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) and Chris Shiherlis (Val Kilmer).

Mann’s directed many great films over his five-decade career, including “The Insider,” “Collateral,” and “Thief,” but none have had the cultural impact of his 1995 crime epic, “Heat.”

Christopher Nolan has consistently cited the film as one of his major influences, especially on “The Dark Knight.” Last year, Nolan even hosted a ‘Heat’ Q&A with Mann, Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino at Tribeca. Almost 30 years since its release, “Heat” has managed to get a life of its own, and for good reason — it’s one of the most copied and influential modern American films.

Mann’s “Ferrari,” his first film in over 8 years, is set to be released on Christmas Day. I reviewed it a month ago, it’s a strong piece of filmmaking.