20 Things You Didn't Know About Heat
14. Keanu Reeves, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt & Jean Reno Were Considered For Chris Shiherlis
The role of Neil's colleague Chris Shiherlis was eventually played quite terrifically by Val Kilmer, but a number of rising stars were also in contention for the part.
Though Kilmer was always Mann's first choice, his commitments to filming Batman Forever prompted the director to sign Keanu Reeves as a back-up.
When Kilmer found himself able to handle the overlapping schedules of both films, however, Mann let Reeves go and brought Kilmer back aboard.
Other names were also considered at various stages - Johnny Depp was in talks but his fee was too high, while Mann also toyed with casting both Brad Pitt and Jean Reno.