Christian Bale officially joins Heat 2 sequel to Robert De Niro’s 1995 crime thriller

Christian Bale joins Heat 2 as Michael Mann begins filming sequel to Robert De Niro’s crime classic in Chicago

Christian Bale has officially confirmed his involvement in Heat 2, the long-anticipated sequel to Michael Mann’s 1995 crime thriller Heat. 

The project revisits the world originally led by Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, more than three decades after the first film’s release.

The update was shared by Fox News reporter Jake Hamilton, who revealed that Bale confirmed he would soon return to Chicago for filming. Production is expected to begin shortly, marking Mann and Bale’s first collaboration since the 2009 crime drama Public Enemies.

Heat 2 is based on Michael Mann’s 2022 novel of the same name. The book serves as both a prequel and sequel to Heat, exploring the early career of Lt. Vincent Hanna, originally portrayed by Pacino, as well as expanding on the stories of Neil McCauley and Chris Shiherlis. The original film followed professional thief McCauley (De Niro) as he planned a final heist while being pursued by Hanna in Los Angeles.

While Bale’s exact role has not been confirmed, the rumored ensemble cast reportedly includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Austin Butler, Adam Driver, Ana de Armas, and Pacino reprising his role. DiCaprio is rumored to portray Chris Shiherlis, a character played by Val Kilmer in the 1995 film.

Heat grossed over $187 million worldwide on a $60 million budget and currently holds an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Though not initially considered a blockbuster, it later achieved cult status and remains a benchmark for modern crime thrillers.

No official release date has been announced, but Heat 2 is expected to arrive in theaters in 2027.