8
8
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 8 December 2025.
Can Leonardo DiCaprio save the film Heat 2?
Leonardo DiCaprio is still making headlines this week in Paul Thomas Anderson’s film, One Battle After Another. And the actor confirmed that he will be joining the cast of Heat 2. Speaking to Deadline, however, he explained that he still has no idea which character he is going to play. “This is very much its own movie. We’re still working on it, we’re a ways away from production. It tips its hat to Heat, but it’s an homage, and it picks up the story from there. The book is already out there, so there are no big secrets that I’m divulging. It’s set in the future, and the past, from that pivotal moment in what I think is the great crime noir film of my lifetime,” he shared.
The announcement comes after several weeks of negotiations. Warner Bros. is now set to revive a project that had seemed uncertain due to budgetary concerns. Initially, director Michael Mann asked for a budget estimated between $150 and $200 million. The figure put a damper on the studio, especially since his recent films (Blackhat, Ferrari) fell far short at the box-office…
Leonardo DiCaprio’s participation in this project may be seen as 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, which means Warner Bros is considering starting the filming in 2026. The media Deadline reported that Welsh-American actor Christian Bale might be in talks to join the cast.
A sequel to a cult film by Michael Mann
Heat 2 will follow 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. It follows the escape of Chris Shiherlis, the only survivor of the gang. This back-and-forth narrative gathers an impressive cast. Adam Driver and Austin Butler are reportedly in talks, while Leonardo DiCaprio is expected to embody Neil McCauley. That role was 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 seem clearly influenced by the shadow of Heat.
Heat 2 by Michael Mann is scheduled for release in 2026.
