Heat 2, the sequel to Michael Mann’s timeless crime classic, is supposedly upcoming – but the project has encountered some major obstacles during its development. The movie is based on Mann’s 2022 novel of the same name, which picks up directly after the epilogue of the original movie. Heat 2 was announced shortly before the release of Mann’s novel, but production has since stalled dramatically.

There have been several promising updates about Heat 2’s script, but the project has still struggled to get off the ground at Warner Bros. Nobody has officially been cast in the sequel (despite some convincing rumors), and Mann is reportedly looking for a much larger budget than the studio is willing to offer. This could prove to be a mᴀssive problem for Heat 2’s success.

Heat 2 Has Encountered Another Roadblock

Heat 2 is one of the most exciting projects currently in development, but unfortunately, it also seems like one of the most difficult to make. Mann’s budget requirements are seemingly much larger than anything Warner Bros. is willing to pump into the sequel, despite how undeniably successful the first movie was.

Michael Mann is reportedly seeking $170 million to make Heat 2, having already reduced his desired budget from $200 million. This would make his long-awaited sequel one of the most expensive action movies in a long, long time. There’s definitely potential for profit given how anticipated the film is, but it’s still a mᴀssive risk.

Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio is reportedly circling the lead role in Mann’s film, and while there’s an indication his involvement would secure a greenlight, it could make the project even more expensive. DiCaprio is one of the few remaining stars considered a guaranteed box-office draw – he hasn’t had a wide theatrical release gross less than $100 million in over a decade. He’d be a big get for the project, but potentially a very expensive one.

Given the fact that Mann’s original Heat movie features huge names like Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Val Kilmer, it’s not surprising that the director is looking for another Hollywood icon to lead the sequel. However, his insistence on a big budget and expensive movie stars could ultimately cause Heat 2 to come crumbling down.

Although Heat is now considered one of the best action movies ever made, the movie didn’t quite have the staggering box office performance that many would expect. The original film only pulled in $187 million worldwide (via Box Office Mojo), which is barely more than Mann is asking for the budget of the sequel.

As a general rule of thumb, movies typically have to make around 2.5 times more than their budget at the box office simply to break even, let alone turn a profit. This is to account for the money that goes into the marketing, distribution, and merchandise of the film, as well as grosses being split with the theaters themselves.

Even when adjusted for inflation, Heat‘s box office would be $396 million in 2025, still below the rule-of-thumb threshold. It’s highly likely, therefore, that Heat 2 would struggle to break even on its $170 million budget, let alone the original $200 million.

Heat 2’s Budget Will Probably Prevent Hollywood From Ever Making It

Mann’s novelization of Heat 2 is both a sequel and a prequel to the original film, with the prologue exploring the direct fallout of the movie’s ending, before jumping around several different time periods and examining the characters’ backstories. This multifaceted, globetrotting approach to storytelling is exactly why Heat 2 needs a large budget to work.

However, there’s clearly a reason why Warner Bros. won’t meet Mann’s high budget expectations for Heat 2, and judging by the performance of the original movie, this seems logical. Of course, there’s an element of excitement surrounding Heat 2 that wasn’t necessarily there for the first movie pre-release, but it’s hard to imagine the sequel well surpᴀssing its predecessor’s box office intake.

Despite the ongoing updates to Heat 2’s script and the exciting casting rumors, it’s hard to imagine that either Warner Bros. or Michael Mann will bend their expectations for the movie. It’s clearly a pᴀssion project for Mann, so it’s unlikely that he’ll compromise on the budget just to please the studio – and the ongoing clashes mean that other studios could steer clear of the project, too.

WB is reportedly open to partnering with a streamer on the budget and Apple is said to be currently considering the script, so there is some hope. But it’s not uncommon for movies to get shelved because of disputes between the writers/directors and the studio executives. If they can’t come to an agreement, Heat 2 risks falling apart entirely.

Of course, this initial hurdle is also going to be the most difficult one for the movie to overcome. If the studio does manage to reach a compromise with Mann and his team, production on Heat 2 could move forward rapidly, especially if a major star like DiCaprio officially signs on to the project. The parts are already in place for Heat 2 to move forward; hopefully it’s allowed to get started.