Christian Bale Eyeing a Role in ‘Heat 2’

Christian Bale is Reportedly Considering Taking a Lead Role in ‘Heat 2’

If the actor does join the movie, it would see a reunion between Bale and his ‘Public Enemies’ director Michael Mann, with Leonardo DiCaprio also circling.

(Left) Oscar®-winning actor Christian Bale, winner for Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for his role in “The Fighter," poses backstage during the live ABC Televison Network broadcast of the 83rd Annual Academy Awards Awards® from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA Sunday, February 27, 2011. Credit/Provider: Todd Wawrychuk / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Right) Robert De Niro in 'Heat'. Photo: Warner Bros.

Preview:

Christian Bale may join ‘Heat 2.’
It would mark a re-team for the actor with director Michael Mann
Leonardo DiCaprio is making a deal to also star.

There is some extra forward movement for Michael Mann’s ambitious aim to bring his ‘Heat’ sequel novel to screens. Christian Bale, who starred for the director in 2009’s ‘Public Enemies’, is now, per Deadline, circling one of the main roles in ‘Heat 2.’

Heat 2

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Assuming he does end up signing on –– and a reunion with Mann is certainly an intriguing concept –– Bale would likely end up co-starring with Leonardo DiCaprio, though no deals are complete yet.

Still, it certainly appears Mann is aiming to build a leading ensemble to match the star power and awards haul of the original, famously led by Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.

What’s the story of ‘Heat’?

Robert De Niro on the set of 'Heat'. Photo: Warner Bros.

Mann’s original film follows Neil McCauley (De Niro), who leads a group of professional bank robbers, taking down major scores around Los Angeles. But after their latest heist goes terribly wrong and ends up in homicide, detective Vincent Hanna (Pacino) finds a clue and becomes obsessed with the case, determined to stop McCauley’s crew.

Hanna and McCauley are competing against each other in a deadly cat-and-mouse game. Although they are on different sides of the law, they still find huge respect, recognition in each other’s troubled personal lives and they understand their competing motivations –– yet they won’t hesitate to do whatever they can to win the battle.

How does ‘Heat 2’ tie in?

(L to R) Director Michael Mann, Al Pacino, and Robert De Niro on the set of 'Heat'. Photo: Warner Bros.

‘Heat 2’ (written by Mann alongside Meg Gardiner) in book form tells the story of everything that happens before and after to the principal characters. The book jumps between two time periods, the first following Chris Shiherlis (Val Kilmer in the original film) as he tries to evade the LAPD and Hanna following the bank robbery gone bad and moves forward into new territory in the tri-border zone and Southeast Asia.

The second storyline takes readers back to Chicago in 1988 when McCauley, Shiherlis and their crew are taking scores on the West Coast, the U.S.–Mexico border, and in Chicago. At the same time, Hanna is cutting his teeth as a rising star in the Chicago police department chasing an ultraviolent gang of home invaders.

The fallout from McCauley’s scores and Hanna’s pursuit cause unexpected repercussions in a parallel narrative.

DiCaprio is reportedly interested in the role of Shiherlis, and the likes of Austin Butler and Bradley Cooper have also had meetings about potential parts. Driver is still apparently part of the mix too –– essentially anyone with a profile is circling this one. We don't yet know who Bale might play.