Michael Mann is returning with a sequel to one of his most influential films, Heat. Mann’s sequel novel, Heat 2, which he co-wrote with Meg Gardiner, was one of the top publications in 2022. While Mann is in the middle of completing a screenplay now, he has started subtly promoting the film. Mann apparently conducted industry-wide research and the results show a waning audience interest in the comic book movie genre and a desire for more Heat-like films.
While the credibility of Mann’s research is uncertain, fans somewhat agree with his observation on the quality drop in the superhero genre. Mann is not a fan of superhero movies, like his contemporaries Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola, and has been quite vocal about it.
Michael Mann’s Comment On Superhero Movies Get Mixed Response
Michael Mann’s latest film Ferrari was released in theaters earlier today. In a promotional interview with NME, Mann opened up about his upcoming sequel to Heat. Mann shared that Heat was a huge brand in Hollywood, citing a ‘study’ he conducted within the industry. According to the study, people were growing tired of superhero movies and they were more interested in films like Heat. Mann shared with NME:
“Heat’s a huge brand. And there’s some studies that I’ve done within the industry… people are kind of getting tired of superhero movies and are becoming more interested in pictures like Heat, if you like.”
Fans on X had varied responses to Mann’s comment on the genre. One fan highlighted an issue with the ‘woke’ propaganda films being produced in the genre. Another fan disagreed with the director stating that people were just tired of the mediocre stuff. They also pointed out the success of projects like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Spider-Verse, and Invincible.
One fan shared that the issue lies in the sheer quantity of superhero movies. According to them, there were too many films being dropped and too little variation in the storyline. Another comment also highlighted issues like studios embracing streaming platform content and the poor marketing of recent movies. Some fan reactions read:
No, they are tired of woke superhero movies, lectures in those movies and directors who clearly have no business directing them
— Brandon Saario (@SaarioBrandon) December 24, 2023
If that’s the case projects like GOTG 3, SpiderVerse, Invincible, & Loki wouldn’t be well recieved
Yes we are experiencing a fatigue but it’s not for superhero projects as a whole, we’re all simply tired of getting mediocre stuff
— DoomBlazer 🍥 (@DoomBlazer23) December 24, 2023
No, we are getting tired of TOO MANY super hero movies and lack of story.
Too much of a good thing, etc.
No one was saying this prior to endgame coming out
— Travis Curnutte (@TravisCurnutte) December 24, 2023
People will always see super hero movies that are well written with with characters that are liked…
— JulieeeAnna (@juliee_nc) December 24, 2023
yes & no
if its a generic jokey jokey thor love and thunder type of a superhero movie then yes personally I’m done with those at least I’m not gonna bother to see them in theatre— bebop95 (@just_bebop95) December 24, 2023
Of course he’s gonna say that, he wants to make Heat 2 😂 though I’m mixed on if it’s true. I think some can break out but even when they are made, audiences don’t usually show up. Studio embrace of streaming didn’t help and movie marketing has gone down the toilet
— Casey “War Path” available now!! (@CapitalF) December 24, 2023
Heat starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro was a critical and commercial success, grossing $187 million at the box office. Despite its significant impact on subsequent works, including Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, the film was not recognized with any awards at the time.
Michael Mann Feels Modern Action Films Are Outrageous
Michael Mann directed one of the most memorable shootout sequences in his film Heat. However, the director is not a big fan of modern-day action films. He shared that he found them less interesting and boring. He added that some outrageous stunt choreography often looks fascinating, but generally, the genre was stale according to him. Mann shared with Total Film magazine (via GamesRadar):
“I’m just bored by it. It’s not very interesting. I mean, sometimes the choreography is so outrageous that it’s fascinating, and it is quite good. But generally, no. It’s just stale.”
Mann’s latest film, Ferrari, features Adam Driver in the lead as Enzo Ferrari. Driver revealed that he has been in talks with Mann to play a young Neil McCauley, De Niro’s character in Heat, for the sequel.
Heat is now available for streaming on Netflix.
