Casting for Michael Mann’s ‘Heat 2’ Is buzzing, with Peaky Blinders star Stephen Graham Rumored

As Michael Mann continues to prep for “Heat 2,” set to shoot in 2026, he may have just added a crime drama actor to his cast.

More than three years after writer-director Michael Mann published his Heat 2 novel, the big-screen movie adaptation, which expands the backstories of its original iconic characters, is finally moving forward.

The film is being produced by some heavy hitters in the movie industry alongside Mann, including Jerry Bruckheimer, Scott Stuber, Nick Nesbitt, and Shane Salerno, with Eric Roth as executive producer. The 1995 Heat starred Al Pacino as Detective Vincent Hanna, Robert De Niro as Neil McCauley, and Val Kilmer as Chris Shiherlis. While it was a solid hit, it has since become a cult classic with a massive global following.

Mann’s Heat 2 has seen a wide range of setbacks along with actors “making waves” or linked to the project as of late 2025, with several of the roles still unconfirmed by the studio. However, one report that intrigues me is the latest from Nexus Point claiming that Peaky Blinders star Stephen Graham has been offered the role of a young Neil McCauley, originally played by De Niro.

Fans have already voiced their dismay on social media, stating that Graham is 52 years old and that’s the same age De Niro was in the original Heat, making it a “young” McCauley role that’s confusing for some. Graham is known for intense roles and has worked with Mann in the past, but if you’re going years into the past, you need to cast a much younger actor. Whomever they officially announce will always face an uphill battle since De Niro’s near-legendary portrayal of the meticulous, cool-headed criminal McCauley is a standard few actors can meet.

At one time Deadline reported during an interview with Mann that Adam Driver was potentially in talks to play the young McCauley, but that rumor never really materialized, and nothing has been heard since.

Officially as of now no one has been cast in any roles. However, there was one rumored casting of Leonardo Decaprio but one of the films producerJerry Bruckheimer recently squashed that when asked by HeyUGuys if it was true. He stated “Yeah, Leonardo. That’s a rumor.

There is reason for some caution. The movie is in a nascent stage of development, allowing for substantial script rewrites, casting changes, or filming adjustments before it even starts shooting. So, whatever social media is hearing right now, you have to take with a grain of salt. Nevertheless, my personal take on the potential casting of Graham, despite the age issue, is that it’s a good choice. Is it a better choice than Adam Driver? In my opinion, no. Driver has a strong stage career that includes significant roles on and off-Broadway, earning him a Tony Award nomination. As a result of his training, I would say he would be best suited to take on the coveted role.

Shooting reportedly starts in August of 2026. For now, let’s look for something more concrete from the Director and Producers before we get too excited.

Can Mann recapture the magic of the original film? I mean, make no mistake, the big shootout scene in the original Heat is one of the greatest sequences ever in the history of cinema. The intensity, drama, and deafening sound of gunfire in the middle of downtown Los Angeles is something that’s second to none.

I will definitely keep you updated with the latest Heat 2 news.

“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.” – Neil McCauley