The United Artists division of Amazon MGM Studios is reportedly in talks to pick up the high-profile sequel to Michael Mann’s 1995 crime drama classic “Heat”.
Warner Bros. Pictures was behind the first film and was where the sequel was originally set up, but the studio and Mann came to an impasse over the project’s budget. In August they allowed Mann to shop the film, and now it appears to have a buyer.
In the wake of the move, veteran producers Jerry Bruckheimer, Scott Stuber and Nick Nesbitt have come onboard as producers.
No actor names are officially attached at present but Leonardo DiCaprio is circling while Austin Butler, Adam Driver and Bradley Cooper’s names have surfaced for roles. Not formal offers have been made to any talent yet, so we’re still a long way from signed deals.
The new film, based on a 2022 novel, serves as a prequel-sequel hybrid that follows the early days of Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro in the original) and Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino in the original), while also following a post-“Heat” Chris Shiherlis (Val Kilmer in the original) in Paraguay.
Disagreement with Warners came over budget which was initially at $230 million then whittled down to $170 million. Warners put a hard line at $135-140 million but if Mann offered a commitment to a third film they would greenlight it at $150 million.
Source: THR
