DiCaprio, Bale confirmed for Michael Mann's 'Heat 2'; filming eyed for Paraguay

Leonardo DiCaprio is slated to star in Michael Mann's upcoming film, 'Heat 2,' which serves as both a prequel and a sequel to the acclaimed 1995 crime drama 'Heat.' The film's production is expected to commence in November, and director Michael Mann has previously expressed his intention to film parts of the movie in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay. This location was significant in the novel on which the film is based and was also a filming site for Mann's 2005 movie 'Miami Vice.'

According to The Wrap, a U.S. entertainment industry publication, key cast members for 'Heat 2' have been confirmed. Christian Bale is set to portray Detective Vincent Hanna, the role originally played by Al Pacino in the 1995 film. DiCaprio will take on the character of Chris Shiherlis, the volatile robber previously portrayed by Val Kilmer. Negotiations are reportedly underway for Adam Driver to play one of the film's villains, Otis Wardell, a serial killer featured in the novel.

Further casting news indicates that the production is in discussions with Stephen Graham for the role of Neil McCauley, the bank robber leader played by Robert De Niro in the original 'Heat.' The novel 'Heat 2,' co-written by Mann and Meg Gardiner, spans multiple time periods. It explores events in the late 1980s, detailing McCauley's team planning a heist in Mexico and Hanna's pursuit of Wardell in Chicago and Los Angeles. The narrative also jumps to the post-1995 film era, following Shiherlis as he flees the United States and seeks refuge in Paraguay.

In Paraguay, Shiherlis reportedly works for a powerful Paraguayan-Taiwanese family based in Ciudad del Este involved in the international arms and military technology trade. The novel includes scenes set in Ciudad del Este, featuring locations such as Guaraní Airport, the Itaipú Dam, and the Friendship Bridge, along with an action sequence in the city center. While the core cast is shaping up, details regarding the rest of the ensemble cast remain undisclosed.