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Heat 2: Who will star next to Leonardo DiCaprio in the sequel to the cult film?
American actor Leonardo DiCaprio joins the cast of Heat 2, the long-awaited sequel to Michael Mann’s classic film Heat. His involvement could help resolve the project’s financial struggles, especially actor Christian Bale could join the cast, according to the media Deadline.
Published on 23 September 2025. Updated on 20 November 2025.
Can Leonardo DiCaprio save the film Heat 2?
This week, the release of Paul Thomas Anderson’s new feature, One Battle After Another, shines a light on Leonardo DiCaprio. The latter has also officially joined the cast of Heat 2. After several weeks of negotiations with Warner Bros, the studio stepped in to revive a project that had seemed on hold due to budgetary concerns.
Initially, director Michael Mann asked for a budget estimated between $150 and $200 million. A huge figure that put a damper on the studio, especially since his recent films (Blackhat, Ferrari) fell short at the box-office…
Leonardo DiCaprio’s arrival appears to be a safeguard, since he is one of the few actors capable of drawing in investors, the press and audiences alike. According to some sources, the minimum budget would be around $130 million. That means that Warner Bros is considering starting the filming in 2026.
A sequel to a cult film by Michael Mann
The feature film Heat 2 will borrow the plot of the 2022 eponymous crime novel, co-written by Michael Mann and Meg Gardiner. It traces back the early years of Neil McCauley and his crew, then follows the escape of Chris Shiherlis, the only survivor of the gang. This back-and-forth narrative promises an impressive cast. Adam Driver and Austin Butler are reportedly in talks, and Leonardo DiCaprio is expected to embody Neil McCauley, a role originally portrayed by Robert De Niro.
Released in 1995, Heat depicts the confrontation between two men – Neil McCauley, a professional thief, and Vincent Hanna, a police lieutenant, played by Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. With Heat, Michael Mann offered a film about honor, risk and solitude. He treated the city of Los Angeles as a character in its own right, showcasing its wide boulevards, neon lights, rain, and sun-scorched asphalt… The action scenes, especially the shootout in a public square, have since become references in the art of modern thriller.
The film was a commercial success. With a budget of $60 million, it grossed around $187 million worldwide. It left its mark on filmmakers, productions and set designers alike. Films like Collateral (2004) with Tom Cruise or even the visual aesthetic of The Dark Knight (2008) by Christopher Nolan have clearly been influenced by the shadow of Heat.
Heat 2 by Michael Mann is expected to be released in 2026.
