As Heat 2 continues to come together, Michael Mann opens up about how Starsky and Hutch are connected to the sequel

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Two years ago, filmmaker Michael Mann looked back at the world of his 1995 film heat through the novel Heat 2a simultaneous prequel and sequel that he co-wrote with Meg Gardiner. But even before the book was published, Mann expressed interest in a film adaptation, and in April 2023 it was officially confirmed that a Heat 2 A film adaptation was in the works. There isn’t much concrete that we know anything about Heat 2 Currently, Mann recently provided an update on the project and shared what the action TV show looks like Starsky & Hutch is associated with it.

While attending a 25th anniversary screening of his film The insiderman told Collider’s Steve Weintraub that it’s nearing completion Heat 2 Script. When the conversation took place, the writer/director had woken up in the middle of the night thinking about the script. He finally drove through Los Angeles at 3:00 a.m. and arrived at Canter’s Delicatessen, the popular restaurant where he previously sat while writing other projects for him, including episodes of Starsky & Hutch. In Mann’s words:

Then I sat in a cubicle and wrote there until about 9:00 this morning, trying to finish the fourth act. It was ironic because it’s the same booth I sat in in the 1970s when I wrote the first few episodes of Starsky & Hutch. Then The Jericho Mile and probably some early drafts of Heat. I had a favorite waitress named Jeannie who put two sons through medical school there as a waitress and poker player in Gardena. (Laughs) So sometimes you’re driving down the streets of LA at night and a coyote runs across it.

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Michael Mann wrote four episodes of Starsky & Hutch between 1975 and 1977, just a few years before he made the aforementioned TV movie The Jericho Mile and then started delivering feature films like Thief And Manhunter. So not only is it interesting to hear how far back Mann’s history with this restaurant goes, but also that he ended up sitting in the same booth putting the finishing touches on the restaurant Heat 2It’s the fourth act where he wrote these episodes for the TV show with David Soul and Paul Michael Glaser. It’s funny how life works sometimes.

If the Heat 2 While it was confirmed to be in development, it was reported that Adam Driver was being eyed for the role of Neil McCauley, which was played by Robert De Niro heat. Since then, the only other casting option that has emerged is Austin Butler, who is rumored to be taking over from Val Kilmer in the Chris Shiherlis role. Since Michael Mann ends it Heat 2 I hope filming can begin in 2025. From there, it’s easy to imagine the film hitting theaters sometime in 2026.

While we wait for more updates like Heat 2 comes, you’re welcome to use your Paramount+ subscription to stream its predecessor. Michael Mann’s latest film, Ferrarican be accessed with a Hulu subscription.