Heat 2 Dream Casting
With news that Michael Mann is in talks with Warner Brothers to develop his novel Heat 2 which is a sequel to his 1994 film Heat. The novel was co-written by Michael Mann and Meg Gardiner. It follows McCaulley and Hannah before the events of the film, and Chris and Hannah after. It spans from 1988 to 2000.
Currently, Adam Driver is attached to star as Neil McCauley who Robert De Niro originally played. There are many rumors and people who are “unofficially” attached. Who knows if it’ll ever get off the ground?
Mann does have his Ferrari film coming out this year and it’s possible with the success of that and the Novel a studio could give Mann a chance to make this long-awaited sequel.
What I thought would be fun is to do dream casting for the film. Casting who I would like/think would be good for the main characters in the novel.
Neil McCauley – Adam Driver
Since Adam is already attached feels weird trying to think of someone else. The more I think about it the harder it is to shake Driver as McCauley. Neil is calm, cool, and collected. He is brooding but never aloof.
Driver has the capability to play brooding, plus he has the physical stature to be an imposing presence. I know Driver doesn’t look like De Niro, but I am not as concerned about that kind of thing.
I think the actor should embody the character rather than just look like them. That’s what can lead to a bad or unmemorable performance.
Vincent Hannah - Jake Gyllenhaal
When I told my wife about the idea for this article she mentioned Jake as Vincent Hannah. At first, I waved her off, but then I started to think about it. Vincent is obsessive, calculated, determined, and can fly off of the handle at any moment.
When you look at Jake’s past work Vincent Hannah can be wrapped up in two characters. Lou Bloom from Nightcrawler and Detective Loki in Prisoners. If those two characters had a baby it would be Detective Vincent Hannah.
Jake can look gaunt and as if he hasn’t slept for three days. The only thing they’ll need to add is to give him some brown contacts to match Al Pacino’s
Chris Shiherlis - Austin Butler
There is a rumor that Austin Butler has either been approached to play Chris or people think he would be a good fit. Either way, he is the perfect age to play Chris in the Pre-Heat parts of the film. Of course, he can play Post-Heat as well.
I heard a rumor that the film adaptation will only cover the events prior to the film. If that is the case Austin would be perfect, in age, and look. If it covers the events after the film, Chris takes the driver's seat, which we know Austin can handle by carrying Elvis.
Michael Cerrito – Will Poulter
Maybe the biggest stretch in my casting choice, but Will Poulter is untapped potential in this area. So far in his career, he has played rather comedic aloof roles, but I think he could crush. He will be playing Adam Warlock in the upcoming Guardians film.
Warlock is generally a good guy but he has had to deal with bad versions of himself within the multiverse. We will get to see Will in action form, and I bet he’ll nail it, hopefully leading to bigger things. I would love to see him in a role like this one.
Nate – Kevin Bacon
As stated before it depends on the direction they go with the Heat 2 film adaptation. But, if they cover any of the events after the film, Nate makes a larger part in that than he does in the film or in the events in the novel prior to the film.
If Nate does make an appearance in this sequel I think Kevin Bacon could be an interesting choice. He’s got that quiet calmness that Nate has. Plus, he’s lanky and could rock a Bolo tie. The only question is could Kevin pull off the long hair?
Otis Wardell – Kevin Durand
Ever since the remake of Walking Tall starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, I’ve been waiting for the right vehicle for Kevin Durand. He has the look of a bad guy, your typical heavy. Given the right character, Kevin could crush it and blow everyone off the screen.
Otis Wardell blows Waingro out of the water with how evil and vile he is. He’s described as large and lumbering with an imposing presence. While reading the novel I only ever pictured Kevin playing this role.
Eady – Alexandra Daddario
Hollywood has not been able to figure out how to properly utilize Alexandra. Unfortunately, she’s really been typecast as the pretty face and given no personality. I love her in a small horror/comedy We Summon the Darkness. Probably the most she’s been given to do on screen.
She was great in The White Lotus, but she is another actor who is still waiting for that perfect role. Eady wouldn’t be a meaty role given that she is only in a couple of chapters in the novel. But she would have some emotions to tap into. She would need some curly hair though.
Charlene – Ashley Benson
Another actor whose potential has not been unlocked. She broke through with Pretty Little Liars, but I didn’t really discover her until Spring Breakers in 2013. She can play understated but turn on a dime and go into menacing.
Charlene is cool but can flip in a second. Ashley has that capability and would embody the role of Charlene. I hope they put the Vegas stuff where she and Chris meet in the film because it would give depth to both characters.
Seargent Bobby Drucker – Aldis Hodge
Vincent Hannah’s partner played by Mykelti Williamson in the original film. He obviously lives in the film and remains Vincent’s partner through the events after the film, looking for Chris. I would’ve picked Jonathan Majors but given his offscreen issues, better that it is not him.
Aldis is close in age to Mykelti when he was in the first film. Aldis is definitely in better shape but maybe we can give him a bit of a fat suit. Or we’ll just have a sexy Detective Drucker.
Elisa – Melanie Diaz
In the events that precede the film, Neil actually has a love interest. Her name is Elisa and she is Latina and becomes a large part of the third act in the pre-film events. In thinking about who should play her I wanted to pick a lesser-known actress.
I saw Melanie Diaz in Fruitvale Station, Ryan Coogler’s first film. She has such a range of emotions and is able to play terrified and upset in a way that the character of Elisa would call for. Plus, Melanie deserves more work and better roles.
Gabriela (Elisa’s Daughter) – Jenna Ortega
I tried not to take the lazy way out and pick the biggest stars of our current time. But Jenna Ortega would be good casting for Elisa’s daughter based on my casting of Melanie Diaz. People could believe that they are related.
If they decide to cover the events after the film Elisa’s daughter comes into play nearly 12 years after the events before the film. She would be around 20, putting herself through college. Perfect age for Jenna and just like all her other roles, Jenna would crush this one.
What do you think? Do you agree with my casting or did you picture others in these roles?