Michael Mann is not the type of filmmaker who many would expect to embrace AI technology, as many old-school creators have balked at the idea of incorporating such stuff into their movies. However, for his Heat sequel, it looks like Mann could be willing to dabble in the dark magic of AI as required.
Heat 2 will finally see Mann returning to the world he created in 1995 after many years of teasing. The original movie starred Val Kilmer, Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino, however the new movie will feature several time-jumps in order to cover events both before and after the first movie. According to Mann, the film will begin a day after the ending of Heat “only Val Kilmer’s character alive, and he has to flee the United States.” The time span of the new story seems to be something that has Mann willing to embrace AI if needed. He said (via Variety):
“I don’t I experiment with technology gratuitously. When I have a dramatic need or aesthetic need for it, then I go deep into what I need. Aging and de-aging may be very important in the next film.”
For many people, AI is at risk of taking away jobs in Hollywood, with a large part of the worry being for the technical people behind the scenes who make movies possible. However, there is always a question of cost when it comes to making movies, and Heat 2 has already moved to Amazon MGM Studios from Warner Bros., seemingly for that very reason.
“Heat 2 is an expensive movie to make, but I believe it should be made at the proper size and scale. It’s going to shoot in Chicago, Los Angeles, Angeles, Paraguay, and possibly some parts in Singapore.
“People make dramas at a certain budget level, because of the costs, not because of anybody being greedy. If it was at a lower price, I could have made it anywhere. But it’s complex. I can’t get into all the politics of it. But we moved from Warner Brothers to Amazon and United Artists, but it will be absolutely released theatrically, in the United States, probably in about 4,000 cinemas and for at least 45 days.”
‘Heat 2’ Could Star Leonardo DiCaprio
Currently, there are many rumors swirling around who may or may not lead Heat 2. Leonardo DiCaprio now seems to be the name that has been attached to the project, seemingly beating off competition from others such as Bradley Cooper, Austin Butler, and Adam Driver, who have all been “in talks” for the movie at one point or another.
Although there has still not been any official announcement about Heat 2 heading into production, Mann’s own update seems to have made it clear that the film is happening, and looks to be kicking off filming in the not too distant future. Most likely, this will mean that we could see Heat 2 as soon as 2027.