Forget Kylo Ren, Adam Driver's Role In DiCaprio's Long-Awaited Crime Thriller Sequel Will Be His Best Villain Yet

Published Nov 15, 2026, 12:40 PM EST Padraig is a Senior Features Writer and has been part of Screen Rant since 2017. Padraig is a writer, editor and retired Game of Thrones extra who has been writing about movies and TV online for over a decade. He has also written for The Irish Times, Den Of Geek, Little White Lies and many more. It's pronounced Paw-rick, BTW. Adam Driver is about to erase all memory of Kylo Ren as he prepares to play the terrifying villain in an upcoming Leonardo DiCaprio legacy sequel. Outside of playing Kylo Ren in the Star Wars movie saga, Driver hasn't played any major villain roles. Sure, there are plenty of Adam Driver movies where he portrays brooding, angry characters like in Marriage Story or Silence, but he doesn't attempt to destroy the universe in those roles either. The star will be breaking bad with his next couple of projects, however; he has been cast as the aptly named Mister Sinister in Marvel's X-Men reboot, and Driver will also play the main villain in Heat 2. This will adapt the 2022 novel of the same name, which, as Heat 2's title implies, follows the crime classic Heat. While Driver has been attached to the upcoming Michael Mann movie for years, it was thought he might play the younger version of Robert De Niro's master thief Neil McCauley. Turns out, that wasn't the case. Adam Driver Officially Confirmed He's Playing Heat 2's Villain Image courtesy of Captive Camera/Cover Images Speaking with The Rich Eisen Show, Driver finally revealed he was playing Otis Wardell in Heat 2, the repulsive villain of the piece. While Wardell was absent in the original film, the book reveals he played a major, offscreen role in shaping the icy mindset of McCauley. Heat 2 is set across multiple time periods, with Wardell being a major figure in the 1988 and 2000 passages. While Heat might deal with criminals who are decidedly lacking in morals, they at least operate by some codes of honor and discipline. Wardell is an exception. He's a petty, egotistical, rage-fuelled monster who enjoys inflicting pain and suffering. What makes the character so dangerous is that he's not an idiot, and often thinks two or three steps ahead of his prey, which includes Leonardo DiCaprio's exiled criminal Chris. Choose the movie with the higher Rotten Tomatoes score. Simply put, Wardell is terrifying, and having an actor of Driver's talents playing him is a very exciting prospect. Plus, this legacy sequel will reunite Driver with Michael Mann, who previously helmed the star in 2023's Ferrari. Why Adam Driver Is Perfect For The Villain In Heat 2 Image via Warner Bros. Wardell feels like an extension of the weaselly Waingro (Kevin Gage) from Heat. Waingro was another narcissist who liked causing pain or killing just for the sensation of it, but he was at least smart enough to stay a step ahead of McCauley's crew and cause them problems. However, Wardell is far worse, which can be seen in the heinous home invasions he carries out during the 1980s. He's a character who leaves a trail of destruction and bodies in his wake - and who greatly enjoys the power he takes from his crimes. In Heat 2, Wardell is often simmering with barely concealed anger too, which is something Driver excels at playing. He may not be obvious casting for those who read the Michael Mann/Meg Gardiner book, but with his imposing build and ability to portray volcanic fury and intense self-control, Driver is an inspired pick. The actor also has experience handling weaponry due to his time in the Marines, which should come in useful during Heat 2's various shootouts. Heat 2's Cast Is Ridiculously Stacked Heat 2 is a hot project and has attached an incredible cast. It took DiCaprio a little time to decide if he wanted to appear, but he has finally signed on to play Chris, inheriting the role from the late, great Val Kilmer. Stepping into Al Pacino's shoes as Detective Hanna is Christian Bale, with the sequel reteaming the star with Mann following 2009's Public Enemies. Another returnee from the latter is Stephen Graham, who will play McCauley in Heat 2's 1988 section. Rounding out the cast are Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Jason Clarke and Odessa Young, though what roles that trio is playing has yet to be confirmed. Source: The Rich Eisen Show Director Michael Mann Writers Meg Gardiner, Michael Mann Producers Holly Bario, Jerry Bruckheimer, Michael Mann, Nick Nesbitt, Scott Stuber Prequel(s) Heat