Joseph Kosinski’s upcoming Miami Vice movie has taken a major step forward, with Austin Butler and Michael B. Jordan officially signing on to play James “Sonny” Crockett and Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs. Additionally, the project finally has a title: Miami Vice ’85. Let’s go!
As you might tell from the title, this confirms that, unlike Michael Mann’s 2006 movie, this version of Miami Vice will be a period piece. Production will kick off later this year, and Kosinski plans to shoot the film with IMAX cameras. The pastel blazers are going to look amazing.
Plot details are being kept under wraps, but it’s said that the movie “will explore the glamour and corruption of mid-80’s Miami, inspired by the pilot episode and first season of the NBC television series that influenced culture and set the style of everything from fashion to filmmaking.“
Dan Gilroy is writing the script, based on characters created by Anthony Yerkovich from the original series executive-produced by Yerkovich and Michael Mann. Eric Warren Singer wrote an earlier draft of the screenplay. The film is slated to hit theaters on August 6, 2027.
A rumour popped up last month that Tom Cruise was being eyed to play the villain in Miami Vice ’85. Nothing has been confirmed, but it would be cool to see him play the antagonist again. Cruise and Kosinski have previously collaborated on Oblivion and Top Gun: Maverick, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility.
Miami Vice aired for five seasons on NBC from 1984 to 1989, totalling 111 episodes. It starred Don Johnson as Sonny Crockett and Philip Michael Thomas as Ricardo Tubbs, alongside Edward James Olmos as Lieutenant Castillo. The show followed undercover vice detectives in Miami as they investigated drug trafficking, organized crime, and other criminal activity during the height of the 1980s drug trade.
It was a major hit, with the show having a more cinematic feel than audiences were used to on television. Toss in the hottest pop music and fantastic ’80s fashion, and it’s easy to see why Miami Vice has become such an iconic series.