Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler have been cast as the leads in Miami Vice '85, a cinematic revival of the iconic 1980s police drama. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the project began filming on location in New York and Miami in October 2027.
Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler Step Into the Tubbs and Crockett Roles
The upcoming film casts Michael B. Jordan as Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs and Austin Butler as Sonny Crockett, reimagining the central partnership that defined the original 1984 series.. According to the report, the production has already captured footage of the duo in the bustling streets of Miami, with Michael B. Jordan appearing in a gray suit and black shirt—a visual nod to the high-fashion law enforcement aesthetic of the original franchisse.
For Michael B. Jordan, this role represents a pivot back into the spotlight following his success with the Creed franchise and his directorial work on Creed III. The source also highlights Jordan's versatility, noting his previous work in films like Ryan Coogler's Sinners, where he portrayed twin brothers Smoke and Stack.
Joseph Kosinski Brings Top Gun: Maverick Visuals to the Miami Streets
The appointment of Joseph Kosinski as director suggests a heavy emphasis on cinematic scale and visual precision. Kosinski, who gained global acclaim for Top Gun: Maverick, is tasked with translating the neon-soaked atmosphere of the 42-year-old crime franchise into a modern, elevated visual setting. This stylistic approach is intended to attract a new generation of viewers while honoring the legacy of the original detectives played by Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas.
By leveraging Kosinski's experience with high-octane production, the studio appears to be betting on a "spectacle" version of the crime genre. This move aligns with a broader Hollywood trend of reviving legacy IPs through directors known for technical mastery rather than just narrative adaptation.
Avoiding the Critical Failure of the 2006 Colin Farrell Film
The production of Miami Vice '85 arrives as an attempt to erase the memory of the 2006 franchise film. As the report notes, the previous attempt to bring the series to the big screen, starring Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx, failed to secure a positive critical reception, a fact reflected in its poor Rotten Tomatoes score.
The 2006 failure serves as a cautionary tale for the current production. By shifting the focus toward a more stylized, "elevated" cinematic experience and casting current A-list talent like Austin Butler—who rose to prominence in the 2022 Disney+ biopic The 13th—the producers are attempting to pivot away from the grit that failed to resonate in the mid-2000s.
John Leguizamo and Walton Goggins Join a May 2028 Target Window
Beyond the lead duo, the film features an expansive ensemble cast designed to add depth to the Miami underworld. The report lists Hollywood veterans John Leguizamo and Walton Goggins alongside Whitney Peak, Alden Ehrenreich, Camila Morrone, and Danny Ramirez. This diverse casting suggests a narrative that may expand beyond the central partnership to explore a wider criminal ecosystem.
While production is officially underway, the exact debut date remains fluid. the source indicates that the film is expected to arrive either in August 2027 or May 2028, though the full cast has not yet confirmed a definitive launch window.
The Discrepancy Between the August 2027 and May 2028 Launch Dates
Despite the excitement surrounding the production, several key details remain unverified. Most notably, there is a significant contradiction regarding the release timeline, with the report citing both August 2027 and May 2028 as potential windows. It remains unclear which date the studio is officially targeting, or if the produtcion is facing scheduling shifts.
Additionally, the source provides a list of Michael B. Jordan's early career credits—including The Sopranos and The Wire—that are not widely recognized in his official filmography. Until a formal press kit is released by the studio, the exact narrative direction and the finalized release calendar for Miami Vice '85 remain open questions.
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