Michael Mann and Leonardo DiCaprio‘s Heat 2 is adding another star from Venom to its growing ensemble. The highly anticipated crime sequel has long been in development and is based on Mann and Meg Gardiner’s 2022 novel of the same name.
According to Variety, Stephen Graham has officially joined the cast for the Amazon MGM Studios feature. As per the report, the Emmy-winning actor will star alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Christian Bale, Adam Driver, Jason Clarke, and Odessa Young, though some of those deals have not yet closed.
While his exact role has not been disclosed, Graham is rumored to be playing a younger version of Neil McCauley. Robert De Niro portrayed the master thief in the original 1995 film. Speaking in an interview, De Niro addressed Graham’s casting rumors and said, “I don’t know much about it.” The 83-year-old actor also revealed that he had not read the novel on which the sequel is based.
Everything we know about Michael Mann’s Heat 2
Heat 2 film serves as both a prequel and a sequel to the iconic 1995 film, covering events between 1988 and 2000. The prequel portion is set in Chicago in 1988. It follows Detective Vincent Hann as he pursues a dangerous gangster. Neil McCauley’s crew plans a high-stakes score.
The narrative then shifts to 1995, immediately after the events of the original film. Chris Shiherlis, a member of McCauley’s crew, is on the run from Hanna after surviving the climactic bank robbery. The story then moves to 2000, with Hanna still pursuing Wardell, while Chris flees to South America and builds ties with a powerful crime syndicate.
The upcoming film will reportedly follow the novel’s multiple timelines and feature younger versions of several characters from the original film. According to reports, Leonardo DiCaprio is set to play Chris Shiherlis, while Christian Bale is set to play Vincent Hanna. Adam Driver is also reportedly in talks to play the story’s main antagonist, Otis Lloyd Wardell.
Heat 2 does not have an official release date yet.
Originally reported on ComingSoon.net.
