Joining an already stacked franchise, Christian Bale is now eyeing a lead role in Michael Mann’s highly anticipated sequel Heat 2. The original Mann-directed 1995 movie starred Al Pacino as an LAPD Robbery Homicide detective, Vincent Hanna, targeting a career thief, Neil McCauley, played by Robert De Niro, in a classic cat-and-mouse-style epic heist story.
According to Deadline, Bale is currently circling a deal with Amazon MGM and United Artists to play a lead role in Heat 2 alongside Leonardo DiCaprio. It was reported in October 2025 that DiCaprio was in early talks to play Chris Shiherlis, a character portrayed by Val Kilmer in the original film. It’s still unconfirmed which character Bale would be playing in the sequel.
If the deal comes to fruition, Heat 2 would mark Christian Bale and Michael Mann’s first major reunion since 2009’s Public Enemies, another crime thriller led by Johnny Depp. Bale portrayed FBI Agent Melvin Purvis, but could now end up being on the other side of the law depending on his character in Mann’s Heat 2.
This would also be a reunion of sorts for Christian Bale and Leonardo DiCaprio, though their first acting collaboration ever. DiCaprio was a producer on the Bale-led 2013 crime thriller Out of the Furnace, but there have long been wishes to see the two Oscar-winning actors appear together on-screen.
Heat 2 is based on Michael Mann’s 2022 novel of the same name, which serves as both a prequel and sequel to his 1995 movie. The book explores the early years of Vincent Hanna as a detective and criminals Neil McCauley and Chris Shiherlis before the events of the film, as well as Hanna’s hunt for Shiherlis in the years after Heat‘s ending.
If DiCaprio is still being eyed to play Shiherlis, then it seems likely that Bale is circling the role of Hanna, as those two characters are the co-leads of the 2022 novel’s sequel storyline. However, no official character details have been confirmed yet for the two while still in talks.
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Heat (1995) Key Facts |
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Worldwide Box Office |
$187.4 million |
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Budget |
$60 million |
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Rotten Tomatoes Score |
84% |
Since Heat 2‘s confirmation, there have also been various reports and rumors of casting talks connected to names like Adam Driver, Austin Butler, and Bradley Cooper, though no official offers or deals have reportedly been made with these actors. Considering the star-driven nature of the 1995 crime classic, Heat 2 looks to be utilizing the same success strategy for those circling parts in the sequel cast.
The current plan is for United Artists’ Heat 2 to begin production in 2026, which may mean an even later 2027 release date. Once Heat 2 officially sets its two leads, more details on the long-awaited sequel’s production and casting can be expected to start rolling in.