Christian Bale in talks for Michael Mann’s ‘Heat 2’ alongside Leonardo DiCaprio

Christian Bale is reportedly circling a major role in Michael Mann’s ‘Heat 2,’ joining Leonardo DiCaprio

Christian Bale is reportedly in talks to join the cast of Michael Mann’s highly anticipated sequel, Heat 2, alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.

Sources tell Deadline that the Amazon MGM Studios and United Artists production will begin filming next year, continuing the story of Mann’s 1995 crime classic.

The original Heat starred Al Pacino as Detective Vincent Hanna, Robert De Niro as master thief Neil McCauley, and Val Kilmer as Chris Shiherlis. It has since become a definitive crime thriller with a strong global following. Mann, who co-wrote the Heat 2 novel with Meg Gardiner, adapted the story for the screen, expanding the narrative before and after the events of the first film.

The Heat 2 book, published in 2022, alternates between two time periods: one following Shiherlis evading the LAPD after a botched bank robbery, including operations in Southeast Asia and the tri-border zone, and another set in 1988 Chicago, where Hanna is emerging in law enforcement and McCauley’s crew takes high-stakes scores across the U.S.-Mexico border and West Coast.

The Amazon MGM/United Artists film will be produced by Mann, Jerry Bruckheimer, Scott Stuber, Nick Nesbitt, and executive producers Shane Salerno and Eric Roth. While Bale’s specific role has not been confirmed, the script has attracted interest from top talent, reflecting the star-studded ensemble of the original film.

Bale, represented by WME, will next appear opposite Jessie Buckley in Warner Bros’ The Bride. Fans are eager to see how Mann balances the legacy of Heat while introducing fresh narratives and high-caliber performances in this long-awaited sequel.