Home / Arts and Entertainment / Amazon MGM Studios Negotiates to Revive Michael Mann's "Heat" Franchise
Amazon MGM Studios Negotiates to Revive Michael Mann's "Heat" Franchise
7 Oct
Summary
- United Artists, a division of Amazon MGM Studios, in final talks to acquire "Heat 2"
- Michael Mann to write and direct the sequel, based on his co-authored novel
- Leonardo DiCaprio eyed to play Chris Shiherlis, originally portrayed by Val Kilmer
In October 2025, United Artists, a division of Amazon MGM Studios, is in the final stages of negotiations to take over the development of "Heat 2," the sequel to Michael Mann's acclaimed 1995 crime film "Heat." The original film's director, Michael Mann, will return to write and helm the new project, which will be based on the 2022 novel "Heat 2" that he co-authored with Meg Gardiner.
The upcoming sequel will feature an entirely new cast, suggesting that original stars Al Pacino and Ashley Judd, whose characters survived the first film, will not be reprising their roles. However, Entertainment Weekly has learned that Leonardo DiCaprio is being eyed to portray the character of Chris Shiherlis, the bank robber originally played by Val Kilmer in the 1995 movie. This would mark DiCaprio's first sequel since his film debut in 1991's "Critters 3."
The production team for "Heat 2" will include Jerry Bruckheimer, Scott Stuber, and Nick Nesbitt, despite their lack of involvement in the original "Heat" film. Bruckheimer has recently found success with other long-awaited sequels, such as "Top Gun: Maverick" and "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F."
