Heat 2 Secures New Studio Amid Hollywood Buzz

Los Angeles, CA — The long-awaited sequel to Michael Mann’s iconic crime drama “Heat” is gaining momentum as United Artists, part of Amazon MGM Studios, is in negotiations to secure the film’s rights from Warner Bros. This development follows a series of disagreements over the film’s budget, which previously delayed production plans.

Sources indicate that Amazon MGM aims to finance and distribute “Heat 2,” which is based on a novel written by Mann and Meg Gardiner. The original “Heat” was released in 1995 and starred Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. It became a cultural classic, earning $187 million worldwide on a $60 million budget.

After months of negotiations, earlier this year, Warner Bros. allowed Mann to shop the project to other studios. The disagreements centered around an initial budget proposal of $230 million, which Mann reduced to $170 million. Warner Bros. expressed willingness to make the film for $135 million but ultimately deemed the project too risky.

Prominent names have been speculated for roles in “Heat 2,” including Leonardo DiCaprio and Austin Butler, although no official cast members have been confirmed. The film is expected to explore multiple timelines, building on the characters and scenarios established in both the original film and the new novel.

Mann has expressed eagerness to begin filming in 2026, stating that they are currently working on budgeting, scheduling, and casting. As the project transitions to Amazon MGM, industry insiders believe it could become another iconic entry in the crime genre.