In 1988 Chicago, Detective Vincent Hanna[b] pursues the psychotic Otis Wardell's gang of vicious home invaders.

Concurrent to those events, criminals Neil McCauley,[c] Chris Shiherlis[d] and Michael Cherrito[e] infiltrate and rob safety deposit boxes in Chicago with equipment supplied by Aaron.

Neil has a set of floppy disks from their Chicago score analyzed, which reveals the location of a cartel stash house in Mexicali.

Wardell holds Elisa at gunpoint and demands Neil surrender his car, full of the heist money, for her safety.

Despite his feelings for Ana, Chris attempts to reunite with his wife Charlene and their son Dominick but ultimately decides to let them go when he sees they have a new family.

Reviewing security footage in the aftermath, Vincent's partner Casals[h] realizes Chris was present and vows continued pursuit.

Back in Los Angeles, Vincent arrives at Nate's bar and asks him "What are you not gonna tell me about Chris Shiherlis?"

[6] The novel's title, synopsis and release date were officially revealed in January 2022 with Meg Gardiner now listed as the co-author.

[7] As is customary for Mann, an extensive backstory was built for the characters when he made Heat, including Neil's and Chris' childhoods.

[7][12] Hanna's restlessness with his surroundings, manifested by dangerous late night drives, was based on Mann's own behaviors in his younger years.

[12] The robberies that begin the novel, along with the efforts of the police to foil them, were based on a real case undertaken by regular Chicago detectives Charlie Adamson and Dennis Farina, both of whom collaborated with Mann several times.

[15] It was formally announced in spring 2023 that Mann would write and direct an adaptation of Heat 2 for Warner Bros., with Adam Driver in talks to place the young McCauley.

[19][20] While acknowledging the novel's length and scope would be well suited for a two-part streaming service presentation, Mann expressed desire to make a single, large scale theatrical release.

[21] Mann explained his primary challenge for the screenplay was finding a way to distill the novel's myriad threads into a single motion picture.

[22] Due to the novel taking place over many years, Mann said he would employ a combination of CGI and makeup on various actors[23] but eschew de-aging techniques like those used in The Irishman.

Mann had also planned on shooting a large-scale shootout in Ciudad del Este for Miami Vice's ending, but this was scrapped due to logistical issues.