Robert De Niro ’s Heat franchise could be expanding again, according to a July 30, 2026 report, even though Heat 2 has not started filming. Amazon MGM Studios is reportedly exploring a third installment ahead of the sequel’s planned November production start. The reported Heat 3 conversations are part of Amazon’s broader strategy for the property, with the studio said to be interested in extending the franchise beyond Heat 2 ’s initial release window. The project’s format remains unclear: Heat 3 could be a direct continuation, a spinoff, a novel first, or a movie developed without a preceding book. What’s the status of Heat 2? Heat 2 is based on the novel co-written by director Michael Mann and author Meg Gardiner. The story moves across multiple timelines, including Chicago in 1988, the aftermath of the 1995 film, and another chapter set in 2000. Christian Bale is expected to play Detective Vincent Hanna, while Leonardo DiCaprio is reportedly attached as Chris Shiherlis. Stephen Graham is in talks to take over the role of Neil McCauley, originally played by De Niro, and Adam Driver is reportedly negotiating to portray villain Otis Wardell. Amazon took over the project after Warner Bros. and later Paramount exited amid reported budget disputes, with Sony remaining involved for international distribution. The original Heat , released by Warner Bros. on December 15, 1995, starred De Niro, Al Pacino, and Val Kilmer. The upcoming prequel sequel has no announced release date, but its reported November shoot and Amazon’s interest in Heat 3 suggest the studio is already thinking beyond the next chapter.