‘Heat 2’ Gets a Massive Financial Boost Following Greenlight

After years of development and endless speculation, Michael Mann’s Heat 2 is finally turning up the temperature. The legendary filmmaker’s long-awaited sequel to his 1995 crime masterpiece has received a $37.2 million tax credit from the California Film Commission, securing a major win for both Mann and the state’s film industry.

The prequel-sequel, now in active development at United Artists, will film a large portion of its production in Los Angeles — the same city that served as the gritty backdrop for the original Heat. The incentive makes Heat 2 one of the biggest beneficiaries of California’s newly expanded $750 million annual film and TV tax program, designed to keep major productions shooting within the state. With $37.2 million in credits, the film ranks among the top allocations this round. Governor Gavin Newsom praised the incentives as a crucial investment in California’s creative economy:

“The film and television industry is the cornerstone of California’s creative economy – revitalizing job opportunities, business growth and economic prosperity for families. These investments reaffirm that California isn’t just where stories are told, it’s where the future of storytelling is built.”

According to state documents, Heat 2 is expected to spend over $104 million in qualified expenditures during 77 days of filming, hiring 40 main cast members, 800 crew, and more than 1,300 background actors. The film’s total budget is estimated to be around $150 million.

What Is ‘Heat 2’ About?

For Mann, the chance to bring Heat 2 back to L.A. is important. The 1995 original, starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, immortalized the city in cinematic history with its towering skyscrapers, tense shootouts, and neon-lit cat-and-mouse drama. The sequel — which doubles as both a prequel and continuation — is based on Mann’s 2022 novel Heat 2, co-written with Meg Gardiner. The book explored the origins of master thief Neil McCauley (De Niro) and LAPD detective Vincent Hanna (Pacino), while also following Chris Shiherlis, the wounded survivor of the original’s climactic gun battle. The upcoming film is expected to star Adam Driver in a lead role as McCauley, with Leonardo DiCaprio reportedly circling the part of Shiherlis, originally played by the late Val Kilmer.

Heat 2 is directed by Michael Mann and distributed by United Artists Releasing. Filming begins in Los Angeles in 2025. Stay tuned to Collider for all the latest news and updates on Heat 2.