Christian Bale in Heat 2

Michael Mann's "Heat 2" continues to make progress – and the potential cast also promises to be a real highlight. As Deadline reports, Christian Bale is in talks for a leading role in the sequel. This could see Bale appear alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, who has long been rumored to be the star of the film.

The new film is based on the bestseller of the same name, which Mann co-wrote with author Meg Gardiner. However, the book, which was published in 2022, is not a mere retelling of the first film, but expands the universe with new perspectives. It tells the backstories of the iconic characters as well as events that take place after the showdown in the original. This means that the plot of the novel alternates between two time periods. One of them starts directly after the failed bank robbery from "Heat" and follows Chris Shiherlis on the run from the LAPD. At the same time, the story follows Detective Vincent Hanna, who continues to investigate tirelessly even after the dramatic events of the first film.

It remains to be seen when "Heat 2" will be released in cinemas. However, filming is due to start next year.

Film tips in the style of Heat: seven films for fans of masterful heist thrillers

When Michael Mann released "Heat" in 1995, hardly anyone suspected that the film would become one of the most influential crime thrillers in film history. The iconic juxtaposition of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, the meticulous depiction of the criminal trade and the melancholy, urban atmosphere made the film a timeless classic. Since then, many directors have tried to match this standard – some with great success. Anyone looking for similarly intense, stylistically mature or emotionally complex crime films will definitely find what they are looking for in the following recommendations.

Collateral (2004)

Michael Mann himself created a spiritual brother to Heat with "Collateral". The film is also set in Los Angeles, but during a single night. Tom Cruise delivers one of his most haunting performances as hitman Vincent – cold, controlled and fascinating at the same time. Jamie Foxx plays the morally torn cab driver Max, who involuntarily becomes an accomplice. The dense atmosphere, the nocturnal urban aesthetic and Mann's unique style make "Collateral" a must-see for anyone who loves "Heat". The quiet moments in which characters mirror each other are strongly reminiscent of the legendary café conversation between Pacino and De Niro.

The Town (2010)

Ben Affleck's directorial work "The Town" shows that the heist genre can still be profound, emotional and tough in the new millennium. The story about Doug MacRay (played by Affleck himself) and his crew of Boston bank robbers is a prime example of how crime can be portrayed as fate, trauma and the inescapable reality of life. As in "Heat", the characters struggle between loyalty, love and the dark world that won't let them go. The shootout scenes – especially the Fenway Park robbery – are among the most impressive in modern action cinema.

Den of Thieves (2018)

"Den of Thieves" is in many ways a modern homage to "Heat". The story about an elite police unit that comes up against a highly organized gang of criminals is noticeably inspired by Mann's classic. The shootout scene in the city of Los Angeles clearly harks back to the famous street firefight from "Heat" in terms of atmosphere and staging. Gerard Butler and Pablo Schreiber engage in a duel between cop and criminal that captures the psychological core of Heat well – albeit less subtly.

Inside Man (2006)

Spike Lee's "Inside Man" is an intelligent, suspenseful heist thriller that relies less on brute action and more on strategic genius. Clive Owen embodies a bank robber who has not only planned perfectly, but also remains morally complex – similar to De Niro's Neil McCauley. The dialog in particular and the focus on characters and tactics make the film a stylistic kin to Heat. Denzel Washington also shines as a clever but not infallible investigator.

Point Break (1991)

Before "Heat" set the bar in the 1990s, "Point Break" was one of the most influential Heist films of its time. Kathryn Bigelow's mixture of surfer culture, undercover drama and bank robberies has a unique style that still fascinates today. The cat-and-mouse game between Keanu Reeves' FBI agent Utah and Patrick Swayze as charismatic gangster Bodhi is strongly reminiscent of the dynamic between Hanna and McCauley – a relationship characterized by respect, rivalry and personal understanding.

Conclusion

"Heat" is more than a heist movie – it's a style-defining work about obsession, professional ethics and human tragedy. Films that work in his spirit do not necessarily have to show bank robberies. Instead, atmospheric density, clear character sketches and an almost documentary-like view of the world of crime are important. The aforementioned titles pick up on central elements of "Heat" in different ways: perfect elegance of staging, morally complex characters and a tension that often stems from inner conflicts, not just from exchanges of bullets.

For anyone looking for something similarly powerfully resonant after "Heat", these films offer a profound, dark and stylish selection – and show how diverse the crime genre can be when treated with the same seriousness as Michael Mann's masterpiece.