The new big-screen version of classic TV series Miami Vice is taking shape ahead of its scheduled release in 2028 – here is everything we know about it.
Alden Ehrenreich is hot property in the US acting world now and, fresh from winning his first Tony Award earlier this year for his role in Becky Shaw, he is now set to join a high-profile Hollywood reboot of a classic 1980s TV show.
Deadline revealed that Alden is set to join the cast of Miami Vice ’85, a new take on the show, which is being directed by Joseph Kosinski.
But what is Miami Vice ’85 all about? Here is everything we know about the project.
What was Miami Vice?
Miami Vice was a hugely popular TV show in the mid-1980s starring Don Johnson – father of Dakota – as James ‘Sonny’ Crockett and Philip Michael Thomas as Ricardo ‘Rico’ Tubbs, two cops in the Miami-Dade PD who worked undercover. The show ran for five series from 1984-9, running on Friday nights.
The show stood out among police procedurals because it leant into 1980s popular culture, using contemporary music – including Jan Hammer’s legendary theme music – as well as stylish clothing, fast cars and stylised visuals. It very much tapped into the 80s aesthetic, rather than detailed plotting.
Miami Vice is also said to be one of the inspirations for the 2002 video game GrND Theft Auto: Vice City.
Who is directing Miami Vice ’85?
Joseph Kosinski is directing Miami Vice ’85. His star has risen consistently in Hollywood in recent years. His first major breakthrough movie was Tron: Legacy in 2010 – another spinoff to a beloved 80s IP. More recently, he directed Top Gun: Maverick (2022) and F1 (2025), which both received favourable reviews.
Dan Gilroy is writing the script for the movie. He has a long career in movie and TV script writing, including penning The Bourne Legacy in 2012 and, more recently, he wrote six episodes of Andor, the drama based in the Star Wars universe.
Who is starring in Miami Vice ’85?
The leads of Crocket and Tubbs are already confirmed. Michael B Jordan will be playing Tubbs, while Austin Butler will be Crockett.
Michael is now part of the Hollywood A-list thanks to winning the Oscar for Best Actor earlier this year for his role in horror film Sinners. He has also appeared in Creed II and Creed III in recent years, as well as Black Panther in 2018.
Austin has been a rising star for some years. He began his career, as so many do, in Disney shows such as Zoey 101, before graduating into movies. His real breakthrough came with his portrayal of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s biopic Elvis in 2022, which scored him an Oscar nomination. He was also in Dune: Part Two in 2024.
As mentioned, Alden is joining the cast of Miami Vice ’85, although it has not yet been confirmed what role he will be playing. However, given both leads are already taken, it could be he gets to play one of the leading antagonists.
As yet, other castings have yet to be confirmed. But as the movie goes into production later in the year, it is likely more names will be confirmed in the next couple of months.
What is the plot of Miami Vice ’85?
This version of Miami Vice is said to be inspired by the original pilot for the show, as well as the first season of the show.
In it, detectives Crockett and Tubbs from the Miami-Dade organized crime bureau will go undercover as criminals to infiltrate and dismantle the criminal enterprises bringing trouble to the area.
When is Miami Vice ’85 out in theatres?
Miami Vice ’85 is set for release on May 19, 2028, which production on the movie set to begin later this year. It will be filmed for Imax cinemas.
