Praises cannot be over-sung for the masterpiece thriller HEAT. Director Michael Mann delivered some of his best work on the heist thriller with Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, creating a classic for the ages. Mann’s work in the HEAT world isn’t over, either, as he’s just found an author to work with him on the upcoming prequel novel.
Deadline got the exclusive that after months of searching Mann has hired best-selling writer Reed Farrel Coleman to co-write the book with him. The novel will focus the origins of the characters played by De Niro and Pacino, and though there are no specifics there are plenty of angles to take. For starters there's Vincent Hanna’s (Pacino) early days as a cop worth exploring, as well as McCauley’s (De Niro) assembling of his crew in prison. The book is set to be published next year, so better start barreling through whatever is on your reading list now.
I’m sure I’m not alone is saying I want to know more about these complex, flawed characters. I want ot learn more about their history, experiences, values – everything that shaped who they turned out to be in HEAT. What this also means is that there’s room for some sort of prequel movie, which could go either way, but we can cross that bridge when we hold a shoot out on it.