Christian Bale is in talks for a role in Michael Mann's upcoming sequel to his 1995 crime drama Heat. The project, based on a bestselling novel co-written by Mann, is set to begin production in 2026 under Amazon MGM Studios and United Artists. Leonardo DiCaprio is also being eyed for a lead role, potentially reuniting Bale with Mann after their collaboration on Public Enemies.
Background on Heat
Michael Mann's 1995 film Heat starred Al Pacino as a Los Angeles Police Department detective and Robert De Niro as a career thief in an explosive face-off. The movie was a box office success, grossing $187 million worldwide on a $60 million budget, and celebrates its 30th anniversary in December 2025.
Casting and Production Details
Heat 2 adapts the 2022 New York Times bestselling novel co-written by Mann and Meg Gardiner. Plot details remain under wraps, but the film has secured $37.2 million in tax credits from the California Film Commission to shoot in the state. Production is slated to start in 2026, with Mann directing and producing alongside Jerry Bruckheimer, Scott Stuber, and Nick Nesbitt. Executive producers include Eric Roth and Shane Salerno.
Bale, an Oscar winner known for roles in American Psycho, the Dark Knight trilogy, and Ford v. Ferrari (which Mann executive produced), previously worked with Mann on 2009's Public Enemies. According to sources, if deals close, Bale could join DiCaprio in the cast. Deadline first reported Bale's potential involvement, and Amazon had no comment.
Bale's recent projects include portraying Frankenstein's monster in The Bride! and Al Davis in Madden.