‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Star Ebon Moss-Bachrach Reportedly Cast in ‘Heat’ Sequel

Few sequels have taken as long to develop as Michael Mann’s follow-up to ‘Heat’, and each casting update feels like another piece of a long-running puzzle falling into place. The star-studded cast continues to expand, with the latest news involving one of the smallest yet most memorable roles from the original film. Ebon Moss-Bachrach is reportedly set to take on a part that was originally brought to life by the late Tom Noonan.

The original ‘Heat’ premiered in 1995, grossing $187.4 million against a $60 million budget, and is hailed as one of the greatest heist films ever made. Mann’s sequel, ‘Heat 2’, serves as both a prequel and sequel, unfolding before and after the events of the original film. It draws inspiration from the 2022 novel co-written by Mann and Meg Gardiner, which features settings in South America and Southeast Asia.

According to TheWrap, Moss-Bachrach is in final discussions to portray Kelso, a character first played by Noonan in the 1995 film. An insider revealed that Guy Pearce was considered for the role before Mann and his team opted for Moss-Bachrach. Amazon MGM Studios has not yet confirmed the casting.

In the original film, Kelso was the eerie, soft-spoken information broker who provides McCauley with the bank score. Although he appeared in only a few scenes, Noonan’s portrayal left a lasting impression. Noonan passed away in February 2026, making this recasting particularly poignant.

Moss-Bachrach’s talents align well with this role. A two-time Emmy winner for his performance as Richie on ‘The Bear’, he has demonstrated his ability to convey depth with just a glance or a pause, as noted by critics. His recent work spans television and the Marvel universe, showcasing his versatility.

Moss-Bachrach’s schedule is quite full. ‘The Bear’ has just concluded its fifth and final season, and he portrays Ben Grimm in ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’, a role he will reprise in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ this Christmas and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ next year. Additionally, he recently appeared on Broadway in ‘Dog Day Afternoon’ alongside Jon Bernthal.

This impressive list would suffice for most actors, but Mann’s crime epic is a project that attracts top-tier talent. Filming is slated to commence in November, with Mann returning to write and direct.

The film’s core cast is already impressive. Leonardo DiCaprio will portray Chris Shiherlis, originally played by Val Kilmer, while Christian Bale takes on the role of LAPD detective Vincent Hanna, a part made famous by Al Pacino. Stephen Graham will step into the shoes of Neil McCauley, the character brought to life by Robert De Niro.

Odessa Young is set to play Charlene, a role originally held by Ashley Judd, and newcomer María Cid is in talks to portray Gabi, a new character for the sequel. Earlier reports also indicated that Adam Driver is in discussions to play the villain, Wardell.

The production has faced its share of challenges. It transitioned through multiple studios before finding a home at Amazon MGM’s United Artists after Warner Bros. dropped it due to a budget that soared to $200 million. The current budget is estimated at around $170 million, which includes $40 million from a California tax incentive, with Jerry Bruckheimer producing alongside Mann.

Mann has indicated that filming will take place in Chicago, Los Angeles, Paraguay, and potentially Singapore, reflecting the novel’s global scope. Insiders have described the action sequences as surpassing those of the original film, which is notable given that the original’s downtown shootout has been used by law enforcement for training purposes.

Bale and DiCaprio will collaborate for the first time, mirroring the way the original film united Pacino and De Niro. If the casting of Kelso is confirmed, it will further illustrate how Mann is filling every role in the ensemble with proven talent.

With production just weeks away, more announcements are likely, and Kelso may be among several legacy characters to be recast.

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