Stephen Graham joins Heat 2 cast with DiCaprio and Bale

Stephen Graham has been confirmed as part of the cast of Heat 2, the eagerly awaited sequel to Michael Mann's Los Angeles crime saga. A report from US entertainment outlet Variety has confirmed the Scouser will play a key role in one of Hollywood's hottest projects. The 53-year-old's official role is yet to be confirmed, but it is expected he will take on the role of Neil McCauley, made famous by Robert De Niro in the 1995 original. Heat 2 is adapted from the 2022 novel of the same name written by director Mann and co-author Meg Gardiner. The story is told across different timelines, with McCauley featuring heavily in a strand that takes place in Chicago and the Mexican border, seven years before the original film was set. Star-Studded Cast Other announcements have yet to be confirmed, but it is reported that Stephen will be part of the film alongside Hollywood stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Christian Bale and Adam Driver. If Stephen takes on the role of McCauley, it will represent a true full circle moment, as De Niro was the actor who inspired his love for film. When a young Stephen decided he wanted to take acting seriously, his dad took him to the Quarry Green video shop in Kirkby and rented The Godfather, Taxi Driver and The Deer Hunter to start his education. The 70s classics ignited Stephen's passion and started him on the journey to become one of the country's most revered actors. A Full Circle Moment He had the chance to thank his hero on an episode of The One Show last year, as they were both guests on the BBC magazine programme. He said: "We went home and we watched those three films over a weekend. You were the beginning of my whole love affair with films so thank you from the bottom of my heart." Stephen won a BAFTA for his performance in Adolescence in May, and the ECHO visited the road in Northwood where it all started. The video shop was long gone, but the road is still home to a buzzing run of shops, with people full of pride for Kirkby's greatest son. Pride of Kirkby Rachel Evans works at the Quarry Green Convenience Store and told the ECHO how proud she is of the way he is putting Kirkby on the map. The 34-year-old said: "You hear of Liverpool, but nobody really mentions Kirkby, so for him to mention us in all his speeches all the time is great to hear. It allows other kids around here to say, 'if he can do it, then I can do it'. He's a kid from Kirkby and look how much he's achieved." Natalie Williams works at the nearby Quarry Café and was similarly full of praise as she agreed Stephen is the pride of Kirkby. She said: "He's from Kirkby, he's never forgotten his roots. He's a family man. Brilliant actor. Everyone in Kirkby is so proud of him with the way he has come from nothing in life to this famous actor winning BAFTA awards." What's Next Stephen is not resting on his laurels after the BAFTA win, as he will return to screens later this year in Apple TV crime series Nocturne. Work on Heat 2 is expected to start shortly and will see Stephen reprise his partnership with Michael Mann, who he previously worked with on 2009's Public Enemies. Heat is Mann's most acclaimed film and widely features in round ups of the greatest movies ever made. The film follows the attempts of Vincent Hanna, played by Al Pacino, as he tries to track down master criminal Neil McCauley.