Overview

• Michael Mann submitted the first draft of Heat 2’s screenplay to Warner Bros. in March, marking creative readiness for the long-awaited sequel.
• His initial budget estimate topped $200 million and was later trimmed to about $170 million, but Warner Bros. executives still consider it too steep.
• The studio has circulated the script to Apple Original Films and other potential partners as it seeks co-financing to bridge the funding gap.
• Insiders report early talks with Leonardo DiCaprio, whose star power is viewed as critical to securing a green light for the project.
• Adapted from Mann’s 2022 novel as both a prequel and sequel to the 1995 original, Heat 2 remains without a release date and is paused before pre-production.