Austin Butler has appeared in new production images for Miami Vice '85, stepping into the role of Sonny Crockett. The photos, which emerged on October 15, 2026, highlight the actor's transformation into the 1980s detective.
The blonde mullet and turquoise shirt of Austin Butler
The visual identity of Miami Vice '85 is leaning heavily into the neon-soaked nostalgia of the original series. According to the report, Austin Butler is sporting a blonde mullet and the iconic turquoise shirt paired with a white suit. These specific wardrbe choices, along with Wayfarer sunglasses, signal a commitment to the high-fashion police aesthetic that defined the 1980s.
This meticulous attention to costume suggests that the production is not merely rebooting the story but is attempting to evoke a specific cultural moment.. By mirroring the exact look of the original character, Universal Pictures is positioning Austin Butler as the modern face of a legacy brand.
Joseph Kosinski brings IMAX scale to Universal Pictures' production
Universal Pictures is investing in high-end technical execution for this reboot.. Director Joseph Kosinski, who previously revitalized the avition genre with Top Gun: Maverick, is collaborating with cinematographer Claudio Miranda to shoot Miami Vice '85 for IMAX. This choice suggests that the film will prioritize sweeping vistas and high-contrast visuals, moving beyond the standard television format to create a cinematic spectacle.
The partnership between Joseph Kosinski and Claudio Miranda is a strategic move to ensure the film feels like an event. Given the visual ambition of their previous collaborations, the use of IMAX cameras will likely transform the streets of Miami into a hyper-stylized backdrop that emphasizes the scale and luxury associated with the Miami Vice brand.
A return to the pilot episode and first season of Miami Vice
The narrative foundation for Miami Vice '85 is rooted in the earliest days of the franchise.. As the report says, the film draws direct inspiration from the pilot episode and the first season of the original television series. This approach mirrors a broader industry trend of "prequel-style" reimagining, where studios return to the origin stories of beloved IPs to capture both legacy fans and new audiences.
By focusing on the first season, the production can establish the chemistry and world-building from the ground up. This allows the writers to explore the initial partnership of the lead detectives without being bogged down by decades of subsequent television lore, effectively resetting the clock for a contemporary movie audience.
Who will play Ricardo Tubbs alongside Austin Butler?
While the images of Austin Butler provide a clear look at Sonny Crockett, several critical pieces of the puzzle remain missing. Most notably, there has been no official announcement regarding who will play the role of Ricardo Tubbs, Crockett's essential partner. The dynamic between these two characters was the heartbeat of the original series, making the identity of the second lead a pivotal detail for the film's success.
Furthermore, it remains unclear how much of the original plot from the first season will be adapted literally versus how much will be modernized for a 2026 audience. The source focuses heavily on the aesthetic and technical crew, leaving the specific narrative direction and the full supporting cast as the primary unknowns.
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