Back in November, reports had Christian Bale “circling” a major role in Michael Mann’s “Heat 2,” and now he’s confirmed his participation via an interview with Jake’s Takes.
Bale tells host Jake Hamilton that he’ll be back in Chicago for the start of production on “Heat 2,” and that the shoot is supposed to happen “soon.” This is the first time Bale has acknowledged his participation in Mann’s sequel.
There’s still no word on who Bale or Leonardo DiCaprio would be playing in “Heat 2.” Regardless, Mann assembling two Oscar-winning actors for the film is a major win—ditto having Adam Driver and Stephen Graham involved in undisclosed roles. More casting is expected to be announced shortly, as this is supposed to be a large ensemble of actors.
Last I checked, Mann was aiming for “Heat 2” to start production in August. They’re expected to globe-trot, with planned shoots in Chicago, L.A., Vegas, Singapore, and even the jungles of South America.
United Artists (the Amazon/MGM arm) recently swooped in and picked up the project from Warner Bros., which walked away after months of failed negotiations over the budget. Mann had reportedly been asking for more than $200M, a figure that has now somehow been brought down to $170M.
For those unfamiliar, “Heat 2,” based on Mann’s own novel, operates as both a prequel and a sequel. It spans decades and continents, following a young Neil McCauley and Chris Shiherlis while introducing a new villain described as more sadistic than anything in the first film.
The scale sounds massive—maybe too massive—which helps explain why Warners walked away. Mann has never been shy about budgets, and “Heat 2” sounds like a logistical nightmare: multiple timelines, sprawling locations, and a giant ensemble cast he’ll no doubt want stacked with A-list talent.