Released in France in February 1996, Heat left its mark and continues to be regarded as one of the greatest thrillers of all time. By bringing together Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in an anthology, Michael Mann’s film became a classic of the genre.
The now 80-year-old filmmaker has surprised all fans with the release of the sequel novel Heat 2 in March 2023! With this book, the director expanded the history of his iconic feature film.
The novel begins after the events of the first film. We follow Chris Shiherlis, the character portrayed by Val Kilmer in Heat. The robber is trying to escape from the USA. Vincent Hanna (Pacino), the only surviving criminal in a gang led by Neil McCall (De Niro), is hunted down in a tense manhunt.
This is my man!
Heat 2 is Michael Mann’s first novel in collaboration with Meg Gardiner. Is the director going to adapt it in cinema? In April 2023, Deadline revealed that the director was in talks with Warner Bros. to sign an agreement on the development of this suite.
Adam Driver was expected to play the young version of Neil McCall, the novel takes place in two eras, namely. While the main story follows Chris Shiherlis as explained above, McCall’s side story takes place in Chicago in 1988. A heist and his team plan a big heist while Detective Hanna cuts her teeth on the police force.
Most recently, Michael Mann gave an update on Heat 2 on the mic varietyconfirming his desire to transfer his story to cinema. However, he would not sign the deal unless the project was successful.
“The thing is, I don’t think about mortality. I’m too busy for that. What good would it do me? If I absolutely had to do Heat 2, I wouldn’t lose myself in this brilliant Ferrari story. And it took me two years to write the novel. Fortunately, it became a #1 New York Times bestseller. What I care about is what excites me and drives me forward. Don’t get me wrong. I want success. But if I don’t succeed, I won’t be incomplete.”He hammered.
If Adam Driver was very present in the buzz around the film, it was also in question that Anna de Armas will play the young McCauley’s companion. Timothée Chalamet has also been rumored as a younger version of Vincent Hanna. In June 2022, Al Pacino confirmed the rising Hollywood star, saying that he would favor Chalamet as his successor if Heat 2 were to see the light of day.
“He’s a fantastic actor. And he delivers, he looks good.”he said at the Tribeca festival. “I believe that Netflix, Amazon or any other streaming service can remake a blockbuster like Heat, and even they would struggle to do that.”– said the legendary Pacino.
SUI-HEAT IN IDEAS?
“It was always my intention to create stories around the heat. There is a rich past surrounding the events of 1995 and an idea of what lies ahead for the characters. When I was writing the film, it was important for me to create a full life. Know all the characters and know everything about them.”said director Michael Mann.
However, apart from these rumors and the director’s statements indicating that he wants to adapt it, nothing is official about the production of Heat 2 in theaters. Michael Mann also went for something else, a biopic of the legendary Enzo Ferrari with Adam Driver in the suit of the famous Italian entrepreneur. The work should be released soon on Amazon Prime Video.
Moreover, according to IMDbMichael Mann is preparing another feature film inspired by the true story of gangsters Tony Accardo and Sam Giancana. So there is little chance of seeing Heat 2 on the big screen in the next few years. Unless another director takes the reins of the project voiced by Michael Mann.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
