Operatic in scope, HEAT 2 is engrossing, moving, and tragic - a masterpiece of crime fiction from one of the most innovative and influential filmmakers in American cinema. Sources say WB is in negotiations to fund the development of the project, and that as of now no partner is involved. Arnon Milchan’s New Regency co-financed the first film and insiders add if and when the project is in a good place to move forward, they would be given an opportunity to co-finance. As of now, Mann is the guiding force moving this project forward and things are headed in the right direction for it to find a home. Described by Michael Mann as both a prequel and sequel to the renowned, critically acclaimed film of the same name, HEAT 2 covers the formative years of homicide detective Vincent Hanna (Oscar winner Al Pacino) and elite criminals Neil McCauley (Oscar winner Robert De Niro), Chris Shiherlis (Val Kilmer), and Nate (Oscar winner Jon Voight), and features the same extraordinary ambition, scope, rich characterizations, and attention to detail as the epic film. Heat 2 projects its dimensional and richly drawn men and women into whole new worlds—from the inner sanctums of rival crime syndicates in a South American free-trade zone to transnational criminal enterprises in Southeast Asia. The novel brings you intimately into these lives. In Michael Mann’s Heat universe, they will confront new adversaries in lethal circumstances beyond all boundaries. Michael Mann, Oscar-nominated filmmaker and writer-director of Heat and Miami Vice, teams up with Meg Gardiner to deliver Mann’s first crime novel, an explosive return to the world and characters of his classic film Heat – an all-new story that illuminates what happened before and after the film.

An exciting, emotionally rich thriller, with just as much style and panache as Michael Mann's original classic heist movie' Michael Mann, four-time Oscar-nominated filmmaker and writer-director of Heat, Collateral, Thief, Manhunter, and Miami Vice, teams up with Edgar Award-winning author Meg Gardiner to deliver Mann’s first crime novel, an explosive return to the world and characters of his classic film Heat — an all-new story that illuminates what happened before and after the iconic film. In 1995, Michael Mann’s Heat made its mark on cinema, as what would become one of the preeminent heist movies for years to come. With an outstanding cast, including Al Pacino, Robert Deniro, Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, Jon Voight, Danny Trejo, and Natalie Portman, among others, the film included, not just solid acting performances across the board and smart writing, but also four very memorable action set pieces, and arguably one of the most iconic Scenes from a Diner of all time. This is a perfectly adequate crime novel that adds little to and subtracts little from the film it follows. To reviewers claiming this is the best crime novel ever, I implore you: please read more.Michael Kenneth Mann is an American director, screenwriter, and producer of film and television who is best known for his distinctive style of crime drama. His most acclaimed works include the films Thief (1981), Manhunter (1986), The Last of the Mohicans (1992), Heat (1995), The Insider (1999), Collateral (2004), and Public Enemies (2009). He is also known for his role as executive producer on the popular TV series Miami Vice (1984–89), which he adapted into a 2006 feature film. Described by Michael Mann as both a prequel and sequel to the renowned, critically acclaimed film of the same name, Heat 2 covers the formative years of homicide detective Vincent Hanna (Oscar winner Al Pacino) and elite criminals Neil McCauley (Oscar winner Robert De Niro), Chris Shiherlis (Val Kilmer), and Nate (Oscar winner Jon Voight), and features the same extraordinary ambition, scope, rich characterizations, and attention to detail as the epic film. If you love Neo-noir -like I do- It doesn't get any better than this. If you don't, then I'd give it a hard pass. No one in this book walks, they all glide or cruise. No one gets in and out of cars, they all "slide in" and "roll out", etc. If dude-lit was a thing - this would be the definition of It. The fallout from McCauley’s scores and Hanna’s pursuit cause unexpected repercussions in a parallel narrative. Mann added that “Heat” has a unique lasting power and has “sustained in culture” since its debut 27 years ago.

It is a very well plotted story that is both exciting as well executed by both writers Mann & Gardiner. It is a book that completes the original movies and gives you more insight in the characters from the original movie. It is a big surprise that it has been managed to create a story that really is of the same quality as its source. The book works beautifully with the both time lines. The new characters are as memorable as those from the film, the book really is a tour de force and a fantastic addition to the movie. Mann said that the “ability to which you can deep-dive into the internal world is fascinating, and you can do that best in a novel.” The book no doubt will be a run-through for the script for an impending upcoming sequel. If, however, you have seen the film, then the book is GREAT. The writing does a spectacular job of capturing Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino), Neil McCauley (DeNiro) and Chris Shiherlis (Val Kilmer) - both before and after the movie events. In particular I LOVED Hanna’s early story set in 80s Chicago: the chapters where he visits a victim in the hospital were absolutely beautiful, provide great insight into the character and drop little clues that make his evolution into movie-Hanna believable. I challenge you to read his lines and not hear Al Pacino’s memorably unhinged delivery, every single time. Have not seen the movie, ga and watch that first and then read the book, otherwise you’ll shortchange yourself in the total experience.The Audiobook - Peter Giles's narration is fantastic considering the extremely difficult set of roles he has to play. Yes, he sounds like 'the trailer guy - Don LaFontaine' a lot of the time, but his Pacino accent is phenomenal! All the scenes with Vincent Hanna shine. Tom Sizemore and Val Kilmer get the same treatment. It's extremely well done, albeit a little over the top at times. Let me say starting this review were this released as a movie I’d pay money and go see it in a cinema. There's a hell of a lot going on in this book- and just like the movie - It's heavily character-driven. As a fan of the film ‘Heat’ I knew I was always going to read this novel but I approached it with a feeling of excitement and also with a bit of trepidation, as I wasn’t sure if it would live up to my high expectations. However I shouldn’t have worried, as it more than fulfilled my hopes. The novel charts the story of both Neil McCauley’s crew and Vincent Hanna’s squad, in Chicago in the mid eighties, a few years prior to the events of the movie ‘Heat’. It also leaps forward and tells the story of Chris, following his escape from the clutches of the Police at the conclusion of ‘Heat’. The two strands of the story come together in a thrilling climax, the catalyst to these events being a new character, Otis Wardell, whose actions impact on both main protagonists. Operatic in scope, HEAT 2 is engrossing, moving, and tragic – a masterpiece of crime fiction from one of the most innovative and influential filmmakers in American cinema.