Universal Pictures has unveiled the first look at Miami Vice ’85, the upcoming cinematic reboot of the influential television series that premiered in 1984. The film stars Michael B. Jordan as Ricardo Tubbs and Austin Butler as Sonny Crockett, introducing a new interpretation of the undercover Miami detectives. Director Joseph Kosinski, known for F1 and Top Gun: Maverick, leads the production, which draws inspiration from the original show’s pilot episode and first season. The studio has also confirmed that filming has officially begun ahead of the film’s theatrical release on May 19, 2028.
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The new adaptation returns to mid-1980s Florida, exploring the glamour and corruption that shaped the original series. The story takes its inspiration from the atmosphere and characters that established Miami Vice as a significant television production during its five-year run. Through its depiction of undercover police work in Miami, the show developed a recognizable visual identity that influenced fashion and filmmaking throughout the decade.
Jordan takes on the role of Ricardo Tubbs, the character Philip Michael Thomas originally portrayed in the television series. Butler plays Sonny Crockett, following Don Johnson‘s interpretation of the detective. Their casting introduces a new pairing at the center of the franchise, bringing two contemporary actors into roles closely associated with the original production.
Kosinski directs the film following his work on F1 and Top Gun: Maverick. His involvement places the upcoming adaptation under the direction of a filmmaker with experience in major theatrical productions. For Miami Vice ’85, he draws directly from the earliest episodes of the television series, returning to the material that introduced Crockett and Tubbs to audiences.
The film also brings together an extensive supporting cast. Alden Ehrenreich, Whitney Peak, Camila Morrone, and Danny Ramirez join the production alongside John Leguizamo and Andrew Schulz. Edi Gathegi, Walton Goggins, André Holland, and Michael Irby complete the announced ensemble. Universal has confirmed their participation as filming moves forward, establishing the group of performers who will appear alongside Jordan and Butler.
Screenwriter Dan Gilroy developed the screenplay using characters that Anthony Yerkovich originally created for the television series. Kosinski also serves as a producer alongside Dylan Clark, taking responsibility for the project beyond his directing role.
The 1984 series remains an important reference for the new film’s creative direction. Its portrayal of Miami during the decade connected police drama with the city’s distinctive atmosphere, combining criminal investigations with a visual approach that reached audiences beyond television. The show’s influence extended into fashion and filmmaking, establishing an identity that the upcoming production intends to explore through its return to the period.
The decision to focus on the pilot episode and first season gives the adaptation a specific starting point within the franchise. Those early installments introduced the central detectives and established the setting that would define the series throughout its original run. Kosinski’s film draws on those foundations as it develops a new version for cinema.
