Renowned filmmaker Michael Mann recently addressed his philosophical approach to artificial intelligence and provided significant updates on his highly anticipated projects, most notably “Heat 2.” Speaking at the Lumiere Film Festival in Lyon, where he received the 2025 Lumiere Award, Mann expressed an agnostic view on AI, stating he would only experiment with the technology if it served a crucial dramatic or aesthetic need. He specifically mentioned that “aging and de-aging” techniques might play a very important role in “Heat 2,” hinting at its potential application in the film.

Mann offered comprehensive details regarding the production of “Heat 2,” the long-awaited sequel to his 1995 crime epic. He revealed that filming is tentatively scheduled to commence next summer. A notable development is the film's relocation from Warner Bros. to Amazon MGM-owned United Artists, with producer Scott Stuber involved. Mann emphasized the film’s significant budget, stating, “Heat 2” is an “expensive movie to make, but I believe it should be made at the proper size and scale.” The production is set to be an international affair, with shooting locations planned for Chicago, Los Angeles, Paraguay, and potentially Singapore. Despite the studio change, Mann assured a robust theatrical release for “Heat 2” in the United States, projecting availability in approximately 4,000 cinemas for at least 45 days, contrasting this outcome with his independently produced film “Ferrari,” which faced limited international theatrical distribution.

Regarding the narrative of “Heat 2,” Mann disclosed that the story would feature a non-linear timeline, moving both before and after the events of the original film. The plot picks up one day after the conclusion of “Heat,” with Val Kilmer’s character, Chris Shiherlis, alive and compelled to flee the United States. Furthermore, the film will delve into the past, exploring how the iconic characters of Neil McCauley (De Niro) and Vincent Hannah (Pacino) were shaped by events in 1988. At this time, Hannah was a cop in Chicago, and McCauley was depicted as having “a wife, he has a stepdaughter, he has a nuclear family that he’s very attached to,” offering deeper insights into their formative years.

Beyond “Heat 2,” Michael Mann also outlined his ambitious future endeavors. His next project following the “Heat” sequel is a film centered on the 1968 Battle of Hué during the Vietnam War. Based on a book by Mark Bowden, known for “Black Hawk Down,” Mann described it as “a very human, a very powerful piece.” He engaged extensively with survivors of the battle for research and revealed a poignant connection: Al Pacino’s character in the original “Heat” was conceived with a backstory as a Marine who fought in the Battle of Hué in 1968, still suffering from PTSD in 1988. The Vietnam War film is envisioned as a “Rashōmon”-like narrative, presenting multiple perspectives from both the American and Vietnamese sides. Additionally, Mann will serve as a producer for a Western titled “Comanche,” which will be directed by Scott Cooper, whose latest film, “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere,” was showcased at the Lumiere Festival.