Michael B. jordan and Austin Butler are set to lead Miami Vice '85 as detectives Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the film returns to the 1980s to tackle organized crime during a peak in drug trafficking.

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Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler's rigorous gun training

To prepare for the high-intensity combat scenes in Miami Vice '85, lead actors Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler underwent extensive firearms training before principal photography began. According to the report, John Leguizamo observed that both actors displayed a natural aptitude for weaponry, which significantly boosted the energy on set as they refined their handling techniques.

This commitment to physical authenticity is intended to translate into visceral fight choreography. John Leguizamo stated his intention to match the physical intensity of Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler during these sequences, ensuring that the combat feels authentic rather than staged.

How Joseph Kosinski's 'Turkey' camera replaces shaky action

Director Joseph Kosinski is employing a specialized,miniature camera known as a "Turkey" to capture the film's action.. As reported, this versatile device is small enough to weave through complex movements and tight spaces without disrupting the flow of the scene, a move John Leguizamo compared to the industry-shifting impact of Chris Nolan's use of IMAX cameras.

The use of the Turkey camera is a deliberate choice by Joseph Kosinski to avoid the "shaky-cam" aesthetic that plagued previous action attempts. by prioritizing smooth, immersive movement, the production aims to balance the gritty atmosphere of the original series with a modern, polished cinematic experience.

The 2006 Michael Mann film as a cautionary tale

The creative team behind Miami Vice '85 is explicitly designing the project to avoid the mistakes of the 2006 Miami Vice film directed by Michael Mann. While the 2006 adapttaion was noted for its documentary-style realism and challenging pacing, Joseph Kosinski is instead focusing on immersive storytelling that honors the original show's stylistic roots.

By setting the story specifically in the 1980s, the production avoiids the risks of updating the plot to a modern setting. This era,characterized by drug lords living in opulence and record-high trafficking rates, provides the necessary cultural and criminal landscape to maintain the high stakes associated with the original Miami Vice brand.

John Leguizamo's transition from Esteban to the new duo

The casting of John Leguizamo provides a narrative bridge to the original series, where he famously portrayed the drug lord Esteban and his son, Orlando Calderone. In Miami Vice '85, Leguizamo returns to the franchise in a new capacity, joining the team tasked with dismantling the very types of criminal organizations his previous characters once led.

Leguizamo has expressed high confidence in the project, citing the combined talents of director Joseph Kosinski and writer Dan Gilroy. he noted that the production is leaning into the aesthetic of the era, mentioning that the costume and art direction are making him look "pimpy" for his new role.

What remains unknown about Dan Gilroy's narrative

While the involvement of writer Dan Gilroy suggests a strong narrative foundation, specific plot details remain scarce. The source mentions a general battle against "dangerous organized crime factions," but it does not clarify if the film will follow a serialized mystery or a standalone heist-style plot.

Furthermore, it remains unclear how the film will handle the transition of the Crockett and Tubbs roles from the original actors to Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler. Whether this is a hard reboot or a spiritual successor within the same universe is a detail the production has yet to verify.