Val Kilmer has been a part of many iconic works over the years. Being immortalized in the world of Hollywood, he has played crucial roles in films like Top Gun, Tombstone, Batman Forever, and Willow. However, none have been as culturally significant for him as 1995’s Heat. The film had an excellent cast, with Robert De Niro and Al Pacino being right by his side.
With how iconic this film was, it is not surprising that it is getting a sequel, even though it is almost there decades later. Being directed by Michael Mann, there are a lot of expectations from the project. However, many are confused about Kilmer’s role in the project, considering his health.
Val Kilmer Wants to Star in the Heat Sequel
Val Kilmer’s role as Chris Shiherlis in Heat was iconic in many ways. Being a very important member of Neil McCauley’s heist crew, his role in the film was significant in more ways than one. With this, it is not surprising that when it was announced that a sequel based on a book called Heat 2. Fans were more than a little excited.
It would seem that they weren’t the only ones, as during an interview with IGN, the star confessed that he felt more than a little excited about the possibility. He mentioned that a sequel for the film would be a very “fun” thing to happen and then went on to talk about Michael Mann.
HEAT would be fun. I love Michael Mann. We get along great and we have a great deal of trust…
The director was responsible for the first film and is set to direct the second film as well. With this in mind, Kilmer mentioned that he and Mann got along really well and created quite a bond when they were making the 1995 film. He finished by mentioning that this created a great trust between them, making them perfect collaborators.
Michael Mann’s Loyalty Is Being Tested?
Although Val Kilmer has full faith in the sequel to Heat and even seems to look forward to it, there could be a possibility that he may not star in it altogether. There have been rumors, according to Deadline, that Austin Butler is set to play the role of a younger Chris Shiherlis in the film. This can be quite a big problem for Kilmer, who seems to be looking forward to reprising his role in the sequel.
Additionally, it could be possible that the film is trying to avoid bringing back Kilmer due to his health. In 2014, the star went through a treatment for throat cancer that has severely affected his voice. So much so that his comeback in Tom Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick has his voice shaped by AI (via Fortune).
While Heat 2 could take a similar approach, this would not be the first time that a star is kicked out of a series that they were originally starring in. At the same time, the premise of the book requires both a younger and an older version of Chris Shiherlis, which could explain the rumor surrounding Butler.
Heat is available for streaming on Hulu.
