Hollywood is getting its first glimpse of the upcoming Miami Vice ’85, as Austin Butler Miami Vice news takes center stage following the release of official character images featuring Butler and Michael B. Jordan. The two actors are bringing the famous undercover detective duo to the big screen, with Butler portraying Sonny Crockett and Jordan taking on the role of Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs. The crime drama is directed by Joseph Kosinski and is scheduled to reach U.S. theaters on May 19, 2028.
The new images mark an important development for the project, which returns to the world of the original 1980s television drama. Instead of moving the story into the present, the filmmakers are recreating an era when Miami’s nightlife, fashion and criminal underworld became closely associated with the franchise.
Universal Unveils the Film’s Central Characters
The first official character images introduce Butler and Jordan in their respective detective roles. The reveal coincides with production getting underway, giving audiences an early indication of the film’s visual direction.
Butler plays James “Sonny” Crockett, the undercover investigator made famous by Don Johnson. Jordan portrays Tubbs, the detective whose partnership with Crockett forms the foundation of the story.
The images establish the two leads as the central figures in the new production. However, promotional photographs alone cannot reveal how their performances will develop or how the movie will approach its investigation.
The casting brings together two actors with experience in major theatrical releases. Butler has appeared in productions ranging from Elvis to Dune: Part Two, while Jordan is known for Creed, Black Panther and Sinners.
Their collaboration will be an important part of the movie’s appeal, particularly for viewers familiar with the detectives’ long-standing place in television history.
A Return to Miami’s Most Recognizable Crime Story
The original Miami Vice premiered in 1984 and followed undercover detectives working against criminal organizations in South Florida. Its combination of police investigations, music, fashion and cinematic imagery distinguished it from many other television crime dramas of the period.
The new film draws inspiration from the original series’ pilot episode and first season. Its setting places the story in mid-1980s Miami, where luxury and glamour exist alongside corruption and organized crime.
Crockett and Tubbs must operate within criminal circles while concealing their identities as law enforcement officers. That arrangement creates a natural source of suspense, as the detectives face the risk of exposure while attempting to dismantle dangerous operations.
The movie is designed as a fresh interpretation of the franchise rather than a continuation of the 2006 theatrical adaptation. Its period setting gives the filmmakers room to revisit the original show’s atmosphere while presenting the story to a new generation.
Joseph Kosinski Directs the New Crime Thriller
Joseph Kosinski is leading the production as director. His filmmaking credits include Top Gun: Maverick and F1, projects recognized for their large-scale visuals and technically ambitious sequences.
The new film offers a different challenge from those racing and aviation-focused productions. Its central task is to build a convincing criminal world in which character relationships and undercover investigations carry as much weight as the action.
Dan Gilroy wrote the screenplay, drawing on the franchise’s established characters. The creative team also includes producer Dylan Clark, while Michael Mann is involved as an executive producer.
Mann’s connection to the original series is significant because he helped shape the franchise’s distinctive screen identity. His involvement links the new production to its television roots without requiring it to repeat the structure of earlier adaptations.
The project is also planned for IMAX presentation, suggesting that its locations, production design and action will be developed with a theatrical viewing experience in mind.
The Supporting Cast Adds More Star Power
The production has assembled a broad ensemble around its two leading actors. Confirmed cast members include John Leguizamo, Walton Goggins, Alden Ehrenreich, André Holland, Edi Gathegi, Danny Ramirez, Whitney Peak, Camila Morrone, Andrew Schulz and Michael Irby.
Leguizamo is set to play a villain, giving the detectives a formidable opponent in the story. His involvement also creates a connection to the franchise because he appeared in the original television series early in his career.
Goggins brings another recognizable presence to the cast, while the remaining performers add depth to the film’s supporting lineup. Several character details remain undisclosed, so the extent of each actor’s involvement in the central investigation is not yet clear.
The ensemble provides room for the story to explore multiple sides of Miami’s criminal environment, from law enforcement to the people operating within illegal networks.
Why the 1985 Setting Is Important
The decision to return to the 1980s shapes more than the film’s wardrobe and production design. It establishes the historical environment in which the detectives work and determines how they communicate, travel and gather information.
Miami during this period provides a backdrop of coastal properties, nightclubs, luxury vehicles and an expanding criminal underworld. The contrast between the city’s glamorous appearance and the danger beneath it is central to the franchise’s identity.
Period details can also help the film distinguish itself from contemporary police dramas. Rather than relying on modern surveillance technology and digital communication, the story can draw tension from the limitations and investigative methods of its era.
Music and visual presentation are likely to be important considerations given the original series’ cultural influence. The finished movie will need to use these elements in support of its characters and story rather than relying on nostalgia alone.
How Butler Approaches the Role of Sonny Crockett
Taking on Crockett means stepping into a role with a recognizable screen history. Johnson’s performance established the detective as a confident undercover officer whose appearance and behavior helped him move through Miami’s criminal circles.
Butler will bring his own interpretation to the character. His work in Elvis demonstrated his ability to undertake a demanding transformation, while his other major film roles have placed him in a variety of dramatic and action-driven settings.
Crockett requires more than a distinctive look. The detective must convince criminals that he belongs in their world while maintaining the judgment needed to conduct an undercover operation.
That conflict offers Butler an opportunity to explore the tension between a professional identity and the persona required to survive an investigation. His performance will also help determine how the new film balances the familiar character with its own storytelling approach.
The Austin Butler Miami Vice casting therefore represents more than a visual transformation. It places a new lead actor at the center of a franchise whose success depends on the relationship between its detectives and the world they enter.
When Will Miami Vice ’85 Arrive in Theaters?
The film is scheduled for release in U.S. theaters on May 19, 2028. With production now underway, audiences can expect the marketing campaign to develop as filming and post-production progress.
A full trailer would offer a more detailed look at the story, the supporting cast and the film’s approach to the 1980s setting. Until then, the character images provide an initial look at Butler and Jordan as the franchise’s central detectives.
The release date also gives the filmmakers time to complete the visual and technical work required for the planned theatrical and IMAX presentations.
For fans of the original series, the return to mid-1980s Miami offers a chance to revisit a familiar world through a different creative team. For newcomers, the film introduces Crockett and Tubbs through a new cast and a story built around undercover police work.
With its principal actors revealed, production underway and release date established, Miami Vice ’85 is moving into a significant stage of development. The next major test will be how effectively the finished film combines its period setting, detective partnership and crime narrative into a compelling big-screen experience.