Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler have officially been cast as the new leads in the upcoming „Miami Vice“ film, taking on the iconic roles of Rico Tubbs and Sonny Crockett in a project that aims to revive the 1980s TV classic for the big screen.
The casting marks a significant moment for the franchise, which last saw a cinematic adaptation in 2006 with Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx — a version that failed to capture the cultural resonance of the original series. This time, the filmmakers are doubling down on nostalgia, setting the story squarely in 1985 and embracing the neon-drenched, high-stakes aesthetic that defined the display’s legacy.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski, known for revitalizing legacy franchises with „Top Gun: Maverick,“ the film benefits from a director who has proven he can balance reverence for source material with modern cinematic scale. The screenplay, written by Dan Gilroy, draws from his work on grounded, character-driven narratives like „The Bourne Legacy“ and the „Star Wars“ series „Andor,“ suggesting a focus on moral complexity beneath the glossy surface.
Both Jordan and Butler arrive at the project with recent accolades that underscore their star power: Jordan’s Oscar win and Butler’s Golden Globe for his portrayal of Elvis Presley signal that the studio is banking on proven talent to carry the weight of two of television’s most recognizable detectives. Their casting also reflects a broader Hollywood trend of mining beloved IP for revival, joining efforts to reboot series like „Scrubs,“ „Malcolm in the Middle,“ and „Baywatch.“
Yet the project faces an uphill battle. The 2006 film demonstrated how difficult it is to translate the series’ unique blend of style, mood, and undercover grit into a two-hour format without losing its essence. By anchoring the story in the mid-80s — complete with period-accurate fashion, music, and the ever-present threat of Miami’s drug trade — the filmmakers hope to recapture what made the original more than just a cop show: a cultural moment.
Principal photography has not yet begun, but the film is scheduled for release in Germany on August 5, 2027, with a U.S. Release set for August 6, 2027. The production is expected to utilize IMAX format to maximize the visual impact of its retro-futuristic aesthetic, emphasizing sweeping cityscapes, high-speed chases, and the chiaroscuro lighting that became a hallmark of the series.
The decision to set the film in 1985 also positions it as a deliberate counterpoint to the 2006 adaptation, which moved the story to the present day and was criticized for lacking the tonal specificity that made the original so influential. By returning to the era of pastel suits, synthesizers, and cocaine-fueled excess, the new film attempts to leverage nostalgia not as a crutch, but as a foundation for exploring enduring themes of loyalty, identity, and the blurred lines between law enforcement and the underworld.
Why is the film set in 1985 instead of the present day?
The filmmakers chose to set the story in 1985 to recapture the original series’ distinctive atmosphere of style, music, and cultural mood, which they believe was lost in the 2006 version’s modern-day setting.
How does this version differ from the 2006 film?
Unlike the 2006 adaptation, which updated the story to contemporary times, this version returns to the 1980s setting of the original series, aiming to preserve its visual and tonal identity while using modern filmmaking techniques.
