Legendary director Michael Mann has exciting news for fans of his iconic film, *Heat*. During his appearance at Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival on Monday, Mann revealed that he is close to finalizing the screenplay for *Heat 2*, which he plans to direct next. "We have to have it finished very soon," he remarked, humorously suggesting he might complete it during his flight back to Los Angeles.

The buzz surrounding *Heat 2* is palpable, especially with the original film set to celebrate its 30th anniversary soon. Mann expressed his understanding of the original movie's enduring cult status, attributing its success to its intricate screenplay. "It’s a very, very architected, very complex screenplay… The structure has buried within it a feud,” he explained, describing the unique dynamic of characters that keeps audiences invested in both the protagonists and antagonists.

But that's not all; Mann has plans beyond *Heat 2*. He is determined to bring to life a film about the harrowing 1968 Battle of Hué, a significant and brutal confrontation during the Vietnam War. This battle saw South Vietnamese and U.S. forces engaged in a grueling month-long struggle to reclaim the city amidst urban warfare, an ambitious topic that promises to be both intense and thought-provoking.

While attending the festival, Mann also showcased his innovative interactive website, *Ferrari Expanded*, which offers an in-depth look into the making of his latest film, *Ferrari*, featuring Adam Driver and Penelope Cruz. His daughter played a crucial role in developing this archival platform, demonstrating Mann's commitment to sharing the filmmaking journey with fans.

“The idea was to take people into the adventure of what directors do when you build a film like *Ferrari*. There’s never been a website quite like this,” he noted, highlighting that the resource includes over 20 videos and extensive documentation chronicling the making of the film.

When asked if he would consider creating a similar deep-dive website for any of his other works, Mann indicated that *Heat* could certainly benefit from such an exploration, inviting fans to step behind the scenes of his critically acclaimed projects.

As excitement builds for both *Heat 2* and the planned Battle of Hué film, fans can’t help but wonder what profound narratives and cinematic experiences Michael Mann will deliver next. Keep your eyes peeled for updates—Hollywood's return to the gritty, character-driven narratives of Mann promises to be worth the wait!