Miami Vice Gets the Green Light With Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler

So, we're officially getting a new Miami Vice movie. Yes, again. There's been chatter and rumors swirling around for months, but now the reboot's got the green light — and some actual details worth caring about.

Welcome Back to Miami (Vice, That Is)

After months of indecision that had film Twitter biting its nails, Universal Pictures just confirmed they're making Miami Vice '85. They've signed Joseph Kosinski — who’s riding high from wrapping the Brad Pitt racing movie, F1 — to direct. (If you missed it, F1 didn’t nab any Oscars, but just getting nominated for Best Picture had the suits calling it a win and a half.)

Kosinski taking the helm definitely raises expectations. If you’ve seen Top Gun: Maverick or Tron: Legacy, you know the guy can deliver on glossy, ambitious spectacles. And this time he’s going full premium: the new Miami Vice will be shot for IMAX, because apparently, neon blazers and 1980s Miami sunsets deserve the big screen treatment.

The Details

• Official Title: Miami Vice '85
• Production Company: Universal Pictures
• Director: Joseph Kosinski
• Release Date: August 6, 2027
• Shooting Format: IMAX (turns out, you CAN make pastels epic)

Here’s the Cast — and Yes, It’s Stacked

The leads are officially set, and honestly, this is the most interesting part so far: Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler have signed on as the iconic Miami cop duo. Jordan’s playing Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs, while Butler is on deck as James "Sonny" Crockett. If those names ring a bell, it’s because they were first played on TV by Philip Michael Thomas and Don Johnson, and then in the mid-2000s movie version by Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell. (Yeah, Hollywood really loves recycling these guys.)

Before anyone asks, yes, both leads have packed schedules. Michael B. Jordan is juggling The Thomas Crown Affair — he’s starring and directing — while Butler is gearing up for A24’s Enemies with Jeremy Allen White. So expect a lot of magazine covers and interviews before this thing hits.

Going Back to the '80s

Here's what we know about the plot: Variety says Miami Vice '85 isn’t just using the old title for nostalgia’s sake. The film is 'inspired by the pilot episode and first season of the TV series that influenced culture and set the style of everything from fashion to filmmaking.' Translation: expect plenty of retro Miami glitz, flashy cars, and bigger-than-life crime stories, all set in the same era as the original. They're pushing the style hard, so don't be shocked if you suddenly crave a pastel sports coat.

Kosinski once admitted he'd be 'lucky' to land both Jordan and Butler as leads. Looks like luck finally showed up.

The Guy Behind the Script

The screenplay comes from Dan Gilroy, best known for Nightcrawler (which, if you haven't seen, you really should), as well as Kong: Skull Island and Netflix's Velvet Buzzsaw. So if anyone can nail the mix of flashy style and gnarly corruption, it’s probably him.

What’s Next?

Production is supposed to start later this year. No word yet on who else is joining the cast, but with this level of hype — and Kosinski’s rep for stylish action — expect more big names and maybe a few curveballs. Also, keep in mind: this isn’t a remake of the gritty, present-day 2006 Miami Vice movie. This one’s very much stuck in the pastel-soaked, synth-heavy 1980s.

To sum it up: Miami Vice '85 is shaping up as a love letter to the original’s look and legacy, but with a high-gloss contemporary upgrade. If that sounds like your thing, start planning your retro wardrobe now — you’ve got until summer 2027.