Universal Pictures released the first promotional images of Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler on Monday, revealing the two actors in costume as detectives Ricardo Tubbs and Sonny Crockett for the upcoming feature film “Miami Vice ’85.”
The film, which is currently shooting, offers a fresh cinematic take on the hit 1980s NBC crime drama. In the newly released materials, Jordan appears bearded in a leather jacket as Detective Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs, while Butler wears a gray suit and takes aim with a firearm as Detective James “Sonny” Crockett, The Hollywood Reporter reported.
The roles were originally made famous by Philip Michael Thomas and Don Johnson, who played undercover law enforcement partners pursuing drug rings across South Florida during the show’s run from 1984 to 1989.
A creative team rooted in high-speed spectacles
Director Joseph Kosinski, who previously directed “Top Gun: Maverick” and “F1,” is helming the project from a screenplay written by Dan Gilroy, the screenwriter behind “Nightcrawler.” According to Variety, the script is based on characters created for television by Anthony Yerkovich, while Eric Warren Singer contributed an earlier draft.
Kosinski is producing the film alongside Dylan Clark, and he has reunited with cinematographer Claudio Miranda, who worked with him on both “Top Gun: Maverick” and “F1,” TheWrap reported. Universal executive vice president of production development Sara Scott and creative executive Christina Hoffrogge are overseeing the production for the studio.
According to studio details reported by Variety, the story will examine the glamour and illicit corruption of mid-1980s Miami. The narrative draws primary inspiration from the pilot episode and opening season of the vintage drama, which became known for its signature pastels, fashion trends and soundtrack choices.
Expanding the undercover roster
Universal has assembled a wide supporting cast to flank Jordan and Butler on the streets of Miami. Confirmed cast members include Alden Ehrenreich, Camila Morrone, Walton Goggins, John Leguizamo, Andre Holland, Whitney Peak, Danny Ramirez and Michael Irby, according to reports from Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter. Actors Andrew Schulz and Edi Gathegi are also featured in the lineup, Variety noted.
This is not the first attempt to bring the classic television property to cinemas. Executive producer and director Michael Mann, widely recognized for establishing the visual identity of the original NBC broadcast, directed a feature film adaptation in 2006 starring Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx. That version received mixed reviews and performed modestly at the box office upon release, though it subsequently attracted a dedicated cult following, TheWrap reported.
Universal is treating “Miami Vice ’85” as a major theatrical priority, scheduling its global release for May 19, 2028. Production is expected to continue over the coming months, while additional plot specifics and character assignments for the supporting cast remain under wraps.
