MOVIE NEWS – Oscar winner and former Batman Christian Bale is heading back into action in Michael Mann’s long-awaited crime-thriller follow-up, Heat 2. After Bale at last confirmed he’s on board for the highly anticipated sequel, he’s now shared his first thoughts on the project – and did it while cracking a killer joke that, unfortunately, didn’t quite land.

Heat 2 will draw from the 2022 novel by Michael Mann and Meg Gardiner, which functions as both a prequel and a sequel to Mann’s own 1995 crime-action landmark, Heat. After months of rumors and speculation about who would round out the cast and effectively step into the space once held by Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, and the late Val Kilmer, it’s now known that Leonardo DiCaprio is set for a major part, with Bale confirming just last week that he’ll be joining him.

Now, while promoting his gothic horror romance semi-musical The Bride!, Christian Bale has confirmed once and for all (via @PopTvStudio) that he is “doing” Heat 2, and that he is “very excited” to be part of what looks set to become another sprawling crime-thriller epic from Michael Mann. Asked about his role in Heat 2, Bale said…

“Yeah. Doing it. And my god nobody better than Michael Mann for doing that, for doing a crime drama. Very excited about it.”

Even with the palpable excitement from audiences worldwide – and from Bale himself – over these new Heat 2 developments, the moment got slightly undercut when the actor tossed out a charming joke that fell almost unbelievably flat. “Big, big shoes to fill,” he started, before adding, “You know, Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock.” Clearly pointing to the 2013 action comedy The Heat, Bale seemed to meet a blank stare as he followed up with, “Do you know what I mean? Do I get what I mean or not? Okay…” Don’t worry, Christian – we got it, and it deserves the laugh.

Heat 2 is expected to start filming in August, with Michael Mann returning as both writer and director to adapt the 2022 novel. The movie will operate as a prequel and a sequel, exploring the formative years of homicide detective Vincent Hanna and elite criminals Neil McCauley, Chris Shiherlis, and Nate, portrayed in the original film by Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, and Jon Voight, respectively. At the moment, there’s still no word on which roles DiCaprio and Bale will take, while names like Star Wars actor Adam Driver remain heavily rumored for the crime-saga sequel. As we wait for more concrete adaptation details, you can read the official synopsis for the Heat 2 novel below…

This new story leads up to the events of the film and then moves beyond it, featuring new characters on both sides of the law, new high-line heists, and breathtakingly cinematic action sequences, ranging from the streets of L.A. to the inner sancta of rival Taiwanese crime syndicates in Paraguay to a massive drug cartel money-laundering operation just over the border in Mexico, as Heat 2 illuminates the dangerous workings of international crime organizations and the agents who pursue them while delivering a full-blooded portrait of the men and women who inhabit both worlds.

Source: MovieWeb