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Heat 2
First edition cover
AuthorMichael Mann
Meg Gardiner
Cover artistJacket design by Tony Mauro Logo design by Neville Brody
LanguageEnglish
Genrecrime fiction, thriller (genre), mystery fiction, detective fiction
PublisherHarperCollins
Publication date
August 9, 2022
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (hardcover & paperback)

ebook

Audiobook
Pages480 pp (first edition, hardcover)
ISBN978-0-062-65331-4 first edition, hardcover
Preceded byHeat (1995 film) 

Heat 2 is a 2022 American crime novel written by Michael Mann and Meg Gardiner. Mann's debut novel, Heat 2 is both a prequel and a sequel to his 1995 crime film Heat[1]. It covers the formative years of homicide detective Vincent Hanna and criminals Neil McCauley and Chris Shiherlis. The novel begins immediately after the film's ending and takes place in 1988, 1995-96 and 2000 through multiple locations in North America, South America and Southeast Asia.

Announced in 2016 as a prequel, Heat 2 released in August 2022 to critical acclaim and landed on the New York Times bestseller list.[2] Mann, an English lit major, had long wanted to revisit the characters from the original film and chose the format of a novel as it simultaneously afforded him greater creative liberties and the ability to delve deeper into the backstories he had concocted for his actors.[3] Heat 2 was part of a renewed era of productivity for Mann, debuting a few months after his Tokyo Vice pilot and culminating the following year with the release of his passion project Ferrari, Mann's first film in eight years.[4]

Mann is developing both a feature film adaptation and possible follow up novels.[5]

Plot

[edit]

Note: The novel takes place non chronologically in 1988, 1995-96 and 2000. The plot is summarized here in chronological order.

Author Michael Mann, writer/director of Heat and author of Heat 2, his novel debut

In 1988 Chicago, Detective Vincent Hanna[6] pursues the psychotic Otis Wardell's gang of vicious home invaders. Hanna identifies the group and sets up an ambush at the next victim's home. The ambush is successful in eliminating the gang but Wardell escapes. Hanna raids Aaron, Wardell's supplier, in search of Wardell only to find a dismembered Aaron. Realizing that his quarry has vanished and disenfranchised with the politics of Chicago Police Department, Hanna resigns.

Concurrent to these events, criminals Neil McCauley[7], Chris Shiherlis[8] and Michael Cherrito[9] infiltrate and rob safety deposit boxes in Chicago with equipment supplied by Aaron. After the crew successfully completes the score, Neil returns to LA and reunites with his Mexican American girlfriend Elisa and her eight year old daughter Gabriela. Chris, in Las Vegas, convinces Charlene[10], a prostitute he's fallen in love with, to elope with him. Neil, through his handler, Nate[11], has Kelso[12] analyze a set floppy disks from their Chicago score, which reveals the location of a cartel stash house in Mexicali.[13]

Neil's gang, now including Elisa, go to Mexicali and survey the stash house. The night before the heist Wardell, having tortured Neil's whereabouts out of Aaron, stalks the group. Neil and his crew attack the stash house and leave with the money amidst a firefight with the cartel security. Wardell arrives at the group's safe house, murders Elisa's uncle and kidnaps Elisa while Gabriela hides. Wardell forces Elisa to set a meet with Neil, and she uses radio code to signal danger. Neil rushes to rescue Elisa and manages to disable Wardell's vehicle. Wardell holds Elisa at gunpoint and demands Neil surrender his car, full of the heist money, for her safety. Neil complies but Wardell mortally wounds Elisa and flees. A despondent Neil clutches the dying Elisa and vows to close his heart.[14]

In 1995 Los Angeles[15], Nate hinds the wounded and delirious Chris in Koreatown and coordinates an out for him. Hanna tries to locate Chris, knowing that he will be trying to leave the country within the next 24 hours. As Hanna raids Nate's bar, Nate's contact gets Chris across the Mexican border before the latter is flown to Ciudad del Este.

Upon his arrival, Chris recuperates and is assigned to work under Paolo, an ex Brazilian Air Force security lead. Paolo works for the Taiwanese-Paraguayan Liu family, led by patriarch David Liu. Although David's daughter Ana demonstrates business acumen and intelligence, tradition dictates that her party going, unstable brother Felix will inherit the Liu family syndicate. A year into his role,[16] Chris handles basic security and bodyguard duty for the Chens. A rival Taiwanese family, led by Claudio Chen, hires an American contractor to steal GPS jammer software the Lius have developed. Proving his tradecraft and intelligence, Chris exposes the contractor to the Lius. Chris suggests posing as the contractor and, working with Ana, delivers malware infected software to Claudio. After the intrusion is discovered, Chris reveals himself to the Chen organization and they agree to a truce.

Ciuaded del Este. Chris is sent here immediately after the events of the 1995 film.

In 2000, Hanna, still a robbery homicide detective, investigates the sadistic murder of a prostitute. Wardell, the perpetrator, has used Neil's heist money to set up a prostitution ring in LA. Gabriela, now 20, runs into Wardell and fearfully reports him to LAPD, with Hanna sparking to the old connection. Returning to LA, Chris reconnects with Kelso who introduces him to the dark web. Despite his feelings for Ana, Chris attempts to reunite with Charlene and their son Dominick. Chris is dismayed to discover Charlene has started a new relationship but ultimately decides to let her go. Shortly after Ana and Chris reunite in LA for business, Claudio has David Liu killed. Felix becomes the head of the Liu family. Hanna attempts to locate Wardell but the latter, who had belatedly recognized Gabriela in turn, kidnaps her. Chris, seeking vengeance for Neil, follows Hanna as the latter attempts to rescue Gabriela. A violent freeway chase ensues which ends when Gabriela causes Wardell to crash. Chris, recognizing Gabriela, leads her to safety. Hanna and Wardell pursue each other in the wreckage, and although wounded, Hana manages to kill Wardell. Reviewing security footage in the aftermath of the chase, Hanna realizes Chris was present and vows continued pursuit.

In Batam, Indonesia Chris prepares for a negotiation with Claudio. Claudio and Felix, now allied, arrive ostensibly to make a deal but with the true aim of eliminating Chris and absorbing the Liu syndicate. Chris, having been warned by Paolo, ambushes and eliminates Claudio and his team. A wounded Felix pleads for his life, assuring Chris that Ana would have been safe. An unmoved Chris executes Felix, which Paolo witnesses. Ana and Chris meet shortly after, and Chris tells her that Felix was killed in crossfire, knowing Ana would leave him if she knew the truth. As he embraces the grieving Ana, Chris muses on the myriad possibilities of their future.

In the novel's final passage, Hanna arrives at Nate's bar and asks him "What are you not gonna tell me about Chris Shiherlis?"

Development

[edit]
Co-author Meg Gardiner, whose participation was announced in 2022

It was announced in March 2016 that Mann was writing a prequel novel to the film Heat.[17] After an extensive search for a collaborator, Reed Farrel Coleman's was announced as Mann's co-writer the following year.[18] In mid 2019, Mann clarified the novel would act as both a prequel and a sequel, and that he and Coleman were still at work on the novel for a 2020 release.[19]

The novel's title, synopsis and release date were officially revealed in January 2022 with Meg Gardiner now listed as the co-author.[1] Mann, a fan of Gardiner's novel UNSUB was introduced to her by his literary agent Shane Salerno.[3] As is customary for Mann, an extensive backstory was built for the characters when he made Heat, including Neil's and Chris' childhoods.[20] Gardiner used this material to prioritize the prequel sections of the novel, and remarked on Mann's zealous quest for authenticity.[3][21][5]

In addition to material accumulated from the first film, Mann used research on other works and various real life events to form the novel.[22] Hanna's experiences in Vietnam were based on Mann's unmade project on the Battle of Hue,[23] and the novel's Batam sequence was based partly on one of Mann's unmade films.[3][24] Hanna's restlessness with his surroundings, manifested by dangerous late night drives, was based on Mann's own behaviors in his younger years.[24] The robberies that begin the novel, along with the efforts of the police to foil them, were based on a real case undertaken by regular Chicago detectives Charlie Adamson and Dennis Farina, both of whom collaborated with Mann several times.[5]

Released in August, Heat 2 immediately landed on the New York Times bestseller list.[2] Interviewed for the book's launch, Mann expressed his goal of expanding the "Heat universe" through additional books, including exploring the next stage Chris Shiherlis' journey.[5][25]

Planned film adaptation

[edit]
Adam Driver, who is reportedly in talks to play a young Neil McCauley
Austin Butler has been widely rumored to play the protagonist Chris Shiherlis

Prior the novel's publication, Mann stated his intention to turn the project into a film.[19][26] In a December 2019 interview, Mann revealed he had casting ideas for who would play Neil and Vincent in Heat 2.[27]

It was formally announced in spring 2023 that Mann would write and direct an adaptation of Heat 2 for Warner Bros, with Adam Driver in talks to place the young McCauley.[28] Several months later, Mann confirmed Heat 2 would be his next film and that he had spoken to Driver about the McCauley role.[29] Further casting rumors included Al Pacino returning as Vincent Hanna, Austin Butler portraying Chris Shiherlis, and Ana de Armas portraying Elisa.[28] Actors Jeremy Allen White and Channing Tatum were also reported to be actively pursuing roles in the film.[30] During press for Ferrari and The Bikeriders respectively, Driver and Butler declined comment on their participation in Heat 2.[31][32]

While acknowledging the novel's length and scope would be well suited for a two part streaming service presentation, Mann expressed desire to make a single, large scale theatrical release.[33] Mann explained his primary challenge for the screenplay was finding a way to distill the novel's myriad of threads into a single motion picture.[34]

Due to the novel taking place over many years, Mann said he would employ a combination of CG and makeup on various actors[35] but eschew de-aging techniques like those used in The Irishman.[20] At a screening of Heat, Mann revealed he was considering shooting Heat 2 on celluloid, which would mark his first shot-on-film project since 2001's Ali. [36][37] Mann also began seeking permission to film on location in Ciudad del Este, where portions of Miami Vice were filmed. Mann had also planned on shooting a large scale shootout in Ciudad del Este for Miami Vice's ending, but this was scrapped due to logistical issues.[38][39]

In January 2024, Mann shared his goal of shooting Heat 2 for a 2025 release, which would mark the 30th anniversary of the first film.[40][41] In July, Mann said his aim was to begin filming by the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025. When asked about the casting of Butler and Driver, Mann stated "I can't talk about that."[42]

In August, Mann explained that he was writing the screenplay seven days a week and that the film would at least match the scope of the original. Mann further updated that Heat 2 would shoot on location in Paraguay, Mexicali, Chicago, LA and Batam.[43][44]

Connections to other Mann works

[edit]
  • A portion of Spoon Jackson's poem "Realness" appears in Ali.
  • One of Hanna's previous cases is based on an episode that Mann wrote of Police Story.
  • The Wardell Chicago subplot bears strong resemblance to the Miami Vice episode "The Home Invaders".
  • A young Hanna ponders being on a "speck of dust", a philosophy uttered by Vincent in Collateral.
  • Chris Shiherlis' alias Jeffrey Bergman is an amalgamation of the two protagonists from The Insider.
  • A character mentions John Dillinger, the protagonist of Public Enemies.
  • Miami Vice takes place in Ciudad del Este and has overlapping plot points around the early days of transnational organized crime.[45]
    • Montoya's complex is located in Iguazu Falls, where Chris Shiherlis stages a meet.
    • Styrofoam package lining the streets is mentioned several times in the novel, Montoya drives past such a scene in the film.
    • The Chinese and Lebanese communities in Ciuaded del Este are both referenced in Heat 2 and showcased in a brief scene in the film.
    • Ex-SAS and IDF are featured as security contractors in both Miami Vice and in the novel. A character also mentions the cartels hiring similar individuals in Collateral.
    • Claudio Chen and Jose Yero's casinos have the same outside facade.
  • Chris Shiherlis contemplates how he must "Work out on his body and his mind", a phrase used by Hathaway in Blackhat.
  • Ex Kopasus mercenaries are also used as security by the antagonist in Blackhat.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Jr, Mike Fleming (2022-01-19). "'Heat' Fans Rejoice: Michael Mann & Meg Gardiner Novel 'Heat 2' Has August 9 Pub Date And Will Detail Lives Of Characters Before & After 1995 Crime Classic". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  2. ^ a b Jr, Mike Fleming (2022-08-18). "Michael Mann Revs 'Ferrari' As 'Heat 2' Tops Bestseller Lists". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  3. ^ a b c d Fear, David (2022-08-07). "'Heat 2': Why Michael Mann's Sequel to His Classic Crime-Movie Had to Be a Novel". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  4. ^ Mann's previous feature, Blackhat, was released in 2015.
  5. ^ a b c d Jr, Mike Fleming (2022-08-10). "As His First Novel 'Heat 2' Hits Shelves, Michael Mann Shares Great Crime Stories". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  6. ^ Played by Al Pacino in the 1995 film.
  7. ^ Robert DeNiro
  8. ^ Val
  9. ^ Tom Sizemore
  10. ^ Ashley Judd
  11. ^ Jon Voight
  12. ^ Tom Noonan
  13. ^ Neil is assisted by Kelso, who would go on to plan the major bank heist in 1995
  14. ^ Neil's mantra in the 1995 film is "Don't let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner."
  15. ^ Immediately after the events of the 1995 film
  16. ^ 1996
  17. ^ Jr, Mike Fleming (2016-03-16). "Michael Mann Launches Book Imprint; 'Heat' Prequel Novel A Priority". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  18. ^ Jr, Mike Fleming (2017-04-27). "Michael Mann Sets Bestselling Author Reed Farrel Coleman To Co-Write 'Heat' Prequel Novel". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  19. ^ a b "Michael Mann eyes 'Heat 2' film as book nears completion". France 24. 2019-08-29. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  20. ^ a b "Don't Worry, Michael Mann Won't De-Age Your Heroes in 'Heat 2'". Esquire. 2022-08-09. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  21. ^ "How Michael Mann and Meg Gardiner Made 'Heat 2' – An Opus of International Crime". CrimeReads. 2022-08-09. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  22. ^ Georgiades, Luke (2023-12-04). "Michael Mann: "I wanted there to be actual racing in the racing scenes!"". A Rabbit's Foot. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  23. ^ "Episode 1349 - Michael Mann". WTF with Marc Maron Podcast. 2022-07-18. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  24. ^ a b Weiner, Jonah (2022-07-20). "Michael Mann's Damaged Men". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  25. ^ "'Heat'-ing up: Michael Mann writes sequel-prequel 'Heat 2'". AP News. 2022-07-22. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  26. ^ "Michael Mann Wants To Make Heat 2 As A Movie – Exclusive". Empire. 2022-05-07. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  27. ^ Paramount Network (2019-12-11). Michael Mann Talks about “Heat” | On Location w/ Josh Horowitz. Retrieved 2024-09-03 – via YouTube.
  28. ^ a b Kroll, Justin (2023-04-04). "Michael Mann Eyeing 'Heat 2' As Next Film With Warner Bros In Negotiations With Director To Board Sequel; Adam Driver In Talks With Mann To Play Young Neil McCauley". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  29. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (2023-10-09). "Michael Mann Confirms 'Heat 2' As Next Movie & Comments On Potential Reteam With Adam Driver". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  30. ^ Pearce, Leonard (2023-12-18). "Michael Mann Affirms Interest in Vietnam War Project and New Sci-Fi Feature". Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  31. ^ Amid 'Heat 2' casting rumors, Austin Butler shares what the original film means to him. Retrieved 2024-08-21 – via apnews.com.
  32. ^ "Michael Mann still has another gear. At 80, he's driving 'Ferrari'". AP News. 2023-12-22. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  33. ^ "Michael Mann on the 'savage beauty' of 'Ferrari': 'I wanted to put you in the driver's seat'". Los Angeles Times. 2023-11-15. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  34. ^ Clark, Jason (2024-01-04). "Michael Mann on Why 'Ferrari' Star Adam Driver Is the Ultimate Muse". TheWrap. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  35. ^ "'Heat 2': Michael Mann Says Casting Is Still Not Decided & He's Not Interested In Expanded It Into A Series". theplaylist.net. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  36. ^ Hemphill, Jim (2024-01-09). "Michael Mann Considers a Return to Celluloid for 'Heat 2'". IndieWire. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  37. ^ Although his next few films were shot in part on film, Ali was Mann's last film shot almost entirely in the medium.
  38. ^ "Spotify - FERRARI NICE with Michael Mann". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  39. ^ Ebiri, Bilge (2023-12-25). "Michael Mann's Decadeslong Drive to Make Ferrari". Vulture. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  40. ^ Davis, Clayton (2024-01-04). "Michael Mann on 'Ferrari,' Writing 'Heat 2' and Making the Original: 'I Could Not Figure Out How Val Kilmer Could Tolerate Being Val Kilmer'". Variety. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  41. ^ Jr, Mike Fleming (2024-01-24). "Michael Mann Sets Untitled Global Manhunt Crime Novel Follow-Up To 'Heat 2' Under His William Morrow Imprint Deal". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  42. ^ "Exclusive: Michael Mann unveils his in-depth, behind-the-scenes Archives project". Los Angeles Times. 2024-07-16. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  43. ^ Howard, Courtney (August 24, 2024). "Michael Mann provided an update on #Heat2 at tonight's screening of MIAMI VICE (2006)". Twitter. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  44. ^ "MIAMI NICE: MIAMI TWICE WITH MICHAEL MANN". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  45. ^ Mann, Michael (August 24, 2022). "Photos I took of Ciudad del Este in 2005. Meg Gardiner and I drew upon primary research like this to describe the world the characters of HEAT 2 move through as the events of the novel unfold". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
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