Warning: Spoilers For The Novel Heat 2 BelowMichael Mann and Meg Gardiner’s novel Heat 2 is both a prequel and sequel to the 1995 crime classic and here’s what became of its surviving characters. Heat ended with Al Pacino’s obsessed cop Hanna gunning down Robert De Niro’s expert thief McCauley after the latter tried to escape in the aftermath of a heist gone bad. While the film left the fates of certain characters in the air, it was never intended to set up a sequel.
According to director Mann, those characters never left his imagination in the years that followed. That eventually led to Heat 2 – which has a heist to rival the original – which hops between multiple timelines. It starts the day after Heat, before jumping back to Chicago in 1988 and ending in 2000.
Like the original, the sequel is an engrossing crime saga. It also feels like a mixture of all of Mann’s themes, and traces of Thief, Miami Vice and Blackhat can be found in the story. It’s a recommended read for Heat fans and also reveals how its surviving players evolved in the years following.
Vincent Hanna
Hanna is one of the novel’s protagonists, with Heat 2 also exploring his time in Chicago in the ’80s. This saw him chasing after a home invasion crew – led by the book’s vile new villain Otis Wardell – but after taking down most of them, he left Chicago after becoming disillusioned with its internal politics. After failing to capture Chris the day after Heat, Hanna’s story picks up again in 2000.
Like Heat – which has a definitive director’s edition – Hanna is still looking for the rush he gets from chasing criminals while masking a drug addiction. He’s four years divorced from Justine (Diane Venora), who no longer speaks to him. He does, however, still have a warm relationship with stepdaughter Lauren (Natalie Portman). Lauren almost died by suicide in the film, and the novel reveals she’s preparing for an art exhibition at school.
Hanna’s main arc in Heat 2’s is chasing after a resurgent Wardell, which puts him in Chris’ path once more. The book also reveals he still works alongside fellow detectives Drucker (Mykelti Williamson) and Casals (Wes Studi).
Chris Shiherlis
Heat 2 reveals that after hiding out with Nate (Jon Voight) following the events of Heat, Kilmer’s – who deserved an Oscar for Tombstone – Chris was able to escape the city. He’s arguably the novel’s main character, and finds himself working security for a powerful crime family called the Lius in the hostile free-trade city of Ciudad del Este.
Despite his urge to get his wife and son out of America to join him, he finds himself getting romantically involved with Ana Liu, the ambitious daughter of his boss. The two become kindred spirits and plan to expand her family’s horizons by selling stolen strategic systems and moving into the dark web. Heat 2 charts his hidden affair with Ana and his evolution from skilled bank robber into a whole new form of crime.
When events bring him back to L.A., Chris has two issues. Does he reunite with his family or continue his romance with Ana and does he avenge Neil? His return also brings him back to Tom Noonan’s – who played Red Dragon in Manhunter – Kelso, who becomes his guide to online crime.
Eady
Eady was Neil’s love interest in Heat, but he was eventually killed while attempting to flee L.A. with her. The next day brings Hanna to her doorstep, where she reveals what little she knew of Neil’s life of crime. Hanna also confirms he killed Neil and gives her the name of a lawyer to call after she’s been booked; her fate beyond 1995 isn’t explored, however.
Charlene
Heat 2 details how Chris and wife Charlene first met in Vegas, where she was a sex worker and they had an instant spark. The book reveals she occasionally sent photos of herself and their son to Chris after he fled, which only strengthens his resolve to reunite with them. The 2000 chapter reveals Ashley Judd’s – who passed on Home Improvement – character is working in real estate and has met a man who works in the casino business and is set to move the family to Macau.
Nate
Voight’s fence Nate plays a supporting part in Heat 2, first in helping Chris escape before aiding him in his return. He reconnects Chris with Kelso, and also starkly warns him against avenging Neil by killing Hanna – an urge he had to resist too. The book also hints that if Heat 3 happens, Nate would return once more.