I was about to write something about who the “Heat 2” cinematographer will be when I stumbled upon an interview with one of its producers, Jerry Bruckheimer, saying it starts production in August 2026. This means that its star, Leonardo DiCaprio, will be shooting back-to-back next year; he has Scorsese’s “What Happens at Night” in February.
Now, for who the DP will be, there’s been much speculation. I recently mentioned how “Heat” cinematographer Dante Spinotti will not be returning for the sequel — he had a falling out with Mann years ago — and Mann’s “Ferrari” DP Erik Messerschmidt will probably be too busy with “The Batman: Part II,” so I’m hearing that Dion Beebe will be lensing “Heat 2.”
Beebe worked with Mann near the start of the filmmaker’s digital phase, on “Collateral” and “Miami Vice.” Those are the two Manns Beebe has shot. More recently, he worked on Antoine Fuqua’s “Michael.” His other credits include “Chicago,” “Edge of Tomorrow,” and “Gemini Man.”
It would have been great to have Spinotti back, especially since Mann has reiterated his intention to shoot “Heat 2” on film. Spinotti would have been a key figure who could “glue” both films together: those “bluish, metallic cityscapes” in the original are iconic. Alas, Beebe seems to be the chosen man for the job.
There’s been endless speculation about whether DiCaprio would play the Vincent Hanna or Chris Shiherlis role. In a recent interview, DiCaprio said he didn’t even know: “We’re working on it… It’s certainly exciting.”
Mann’s 2022 novel tackles dual timelines (the aftermath of the original’s botched robbery and a new wave of global heists years later), and DiCaprio stressed that the film will stand on its own: “We can’t duplicate what ‘Heat’ was… It’s paying homage, but giving it its own unique entity.”
Curiously, there’s still no word yet on who Christian Bale would be playing in “Heat 2.” Regardless, Mann assembling these two actors for the film is the main lure — and there are still several key actors left to be cast. Other rumored names that have circulated include Austin Butler, Adam Driver, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Allen White, and Channing Tatum.
More official casting is expected very soon.
According to THR, Aaron Guzikowski, who wrote Denis Villeneuve’s “Prisoners,” has been hired to write a new “Alien” movie for 20th Century Studios, unrelated to ‘Romulus,’ but connected to Ridley Scott.