Speaking on stage at our Contenders London event over the weekend, renowned director Michael Mann, known for his work on films like “Heat” and “Ferrari,” confirmed that his next cinematic endeavor will indeed be “Heat 2.”

Responding to inquiries about whether the novel adaptation would be his next major project, Mann enthusiastically stated, “Yes. Meg Gardiner and myself wrote the novel Heat 2, which came out right when we were shooting Ferrari. It did very well. I plan to shoot that next.”

Earlier this year, GVBeats revealed that Adam Driver, the lead in Mann’s “Ferrari,” was in discussions to portray the young Neil McCauley, a character originally played by Robert De Niro in the first “Heat” movie. Additionally, Warner Bros. was in talks to join the project.

When asked about the possibility of reuniting with Driver for “Heat 2,” Mann shared a warm sentiment, saying, “Perhaps. We don’t talk about that yet. Let me put it this way: Adam and I got along like a house on fire [on Ferrari]. We have the same work ethic – which is pretty intense. We like each other, and we had a great time working together artistically.”

“Heat 2” promises to be both a prequel and a sequel to the original film, delving into the lives of characters like McCauley, Chris Shiherlis (originally portrayed by Val Kilmer), and Vincent Hanna (originally played by Al Pacino) in the years leading up to and following the events of the L.A.-based crime saga.

The storyline transports audiences back to 1988 Chicago, where McCauley, Shiherlis, and their high-profile crew embark on heists along the West Coast, the U.S.-Mexico border, and in their hometown. Simultaneously, Hanna is depicted as a rising star in the Chicago Police Department, hot on the trail of a brutal gang of home invaders.

Since its release in August, “Heat 2” has achieved the status of a No. 1 New York Times bestseller, attesting to the anticipation surrounding this cinematic continuation.

The original “Heat” movie, produced in collaboration with Warner Bros., remains a beloved classic, earning a dedicated global fanbase since its 1995 release.

Mann’s passion project, “Ferrari,” which he spent two decades bringing to life, premiered at the Venice Film Festival and is set to receive a Christmas Day theatrical release through Neon in the U.S. The film stars Adam Driver alongside Penelope Cruz and Shailene Woodley, chronicling Enzo Ferrari’s relentless pursuit of victory in the treacherous Mille Miglia, a grueling 1,000-mile race across Italy, while navigating the complexities of his personal life with two women.