Ever since Michael Mann began work on his Heat sequel novel, there’s been talk about an eventual movie adaptation. Mann has made no secret that it was always his plan, and now on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast he confirms that work on a movie version is already underway.
“This is a book, but it’s also going to be a very large movie,” teased Mann.
“It’s going to be a movie?” Maron asked, shocked.
“Oh yeah,” Mann replied.
So why is Maron sounding so incredulous? Well, there could be issues. The crime story takes place across two timelines, acting as a prequel to the 1995 film with young versions of the characters played by Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, and Val Kilmer. The other timeline takes place seven years after events of the previous film.
Considering the ages of the cast, that latter portion of the story could be tough to cast. Pacino is 82, Kilmer is basically done with acting, and DeNiro’s character is dead.
But Mann seems to have a plan in place. When asked if work had begun he replied “Yes, I can’t talk about it, but yes.” In regards to how he wants to tackle the casting problem, he answered enigmatically “In very large ways.”
Perhaps someone is working on a script treatment? Perhaps Mann is looking to cast a new batch of A-listers to fill the needed roles? He might have to.
“I always wanted to explore the early lives of these guys,” Mann said. “Also, to find a way to bring the past into the present and the present being about 2002, seven years after the events of ‘Heat’ the movie.”
Mann’s next film, the long-developing Ferrari, is set to begin production soon.
