Christian Bale Enters Negotiations For ‘Heat 2’ Role Alongside Leonardo DiCaprio

Ever since breaking onto the scene as Patrick Bateman with Mary Harron’s American Psycho back in 2000, Christian Bale has made a name for himself synonymous with quality. Whether that be working with auteurs such as Christopher Nolan, David O. Russell and James Mangold, or tackling blockbuster roles such as Taika Waititi’s Thor: Love & Thunder or Steven Spielberg’s Empire of the Sun. Now, he seems to have lined up for a major role in Michael Mann’s Heat 2, the follow-up to his legendary 1995 film Heat.

Heat is known as one of the best crime thrillers of all time, with a stellar ensemble cast consisting of Robert de Niro, Al Pacino, the late Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, and Jon Voight. That film followed a conflict between a LAPD robbery detective (Pacino) and a career criminal (de Niro). Heat 2 is set to be based on a book by Mann that serves as a prequel and sequel to that tale.

Per Deadline, the roles in which Christian Bale, as well as One Battle After Another star Leonardo DiCaprio, are being considered for are currently unknown. Jeff Sneider of The InSneider, however, has conflicting reports from sources that detail their roles. Sneider first says that one of his sources said Bale would be playing an older Chris Shiherlis (role originated by Kilmer) while DiCaprio would be playing Vincent Hanna (originated by Pacino), but a second source says DiCaprio would play Chris whilst Bale would play Otis Wardell, a psychotic rapist, who plays a large role in the source material.

Sneider’s first source follows this up stating when they first were made aware of the information, Bale’s consideration as Chris would mean previous rumoured cast member Adam Driver would lose out on playing Neil McCauley (originated by de Niro). The same source considered that maybe Bale was instead considered as Wardell in order to not lose Driver as a cast member.

Adam Driver played the lead in Mann’s last film, 2023’s Ferrari, a biopic about the legendary car brand, so his consideration for the role is obvious. Christian Bale previously played a role in Michael Mann’s Public Enemies, back in 2009. 

DiCaprio is a newcomer in the world of Michael Mann, whose extensive filmography encompasses Thief, Manhunter, Heat, Public Enemies, Collateral, and Miami Vice, the latter of which is being remade by Joseph Kosinski. 

Heat 2 is being developed by United Artists and is expected to star Leonardo DiCaprio, Christian Bale, Adam Driver, and many more, with original stars Robert de Niro and Al Pacino possibly slated to return. The film is expected to shoot late 2026, following DiCaprio’s involvement in the next Martin Scorsese movie. 

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