Though Mechanic duo Simon West and Jason Statham are already hard at work on their next remake, a new version of 1986 Burt Reynolds pic Heat, they’ve found time to add a few new cast members, with Stanley Tucci, Anne Heche, Cedric The Entertainer, Hope Davis and Milo Ventimiglia all signing on. This is not to be confused with either the Michael Mann film or the upcoming Sandra Bullock / Melissa McCarthy comedy The Heat.
Based, like the original film, on William Goldman’s novel (with Goldman back on script duties), Heat finds Statham as a recovering gambling addict who just can’t seem to stay away from the world that nearly destroyed him the first time.
He works offering his security services to wealthy players, becoming known for his trademark of eschewing guns in favour of his trusty quick fists and the odd bit of knife use. But then a friend is nearly killed by a mobster, and our hero swears bloody revenge. Because, let’s face it, it’s Statham. That’s sort of his thing.
We also know, according to Variety, that Ventimiglia will play "the son of a powerful businessman who’s friends with a mobster and casino owner", so that's one role explained.
With Statham producing as well as starring, **Heat **is now shooting in New Orleans and has a planned stop in Las Vegas for additional filming. There’s no word on how the rest of the cast – which also includes Sophia Vergara, Michael Angarano, and Dominik Garcia-Lorido – fit in, but we’ll find out soon enough.