Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler Debut as Tubbs and Crockett in Striking First Look at Kosinski’s ‘Miami Vice’ Reboot

Few TV shows have shaped a decade’s look and sound the way ‘Miami Vice‘ did in the 1980s. Pastel suits, neon skylines and pulsing synth soundtracks became part of pop culture, and the series turned its two undercover detectives into style icons. Now a new generation is about to see those characters reimagined.

Universal’s upcoming film ‘Miami Vice ’85’ has been in development for more than a year, with Joseph Kosinski directing and Dan Gilroy writing the screenplay. It’s inspired by the pilot episode and first season of the NBC series, which ran from 1984 to 1989 with Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas in the lead roles. Michael Mann, who executive produced the show, later made his own big-screen version in 2006 with Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx.

Now, the first official images are here. Michael B. Jordan appears as Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs in a long black leather coat against a pale backdrop, while Austin Butler is shown as James “Sonny” Crockett aiming a pistol in a gray jacket with a gold watch on his wrist. Each portrait carries the character’s name in bold outlined lettering alongside the film’s logo, and a first poster has also been revealed.

First look at ‘MIAMI VICE ’85’, starring Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler. • Directed by Joseph Kosinski (‘Top Gun: Maverick’) • In theaters on May 19, 2028 https://t.co/KeJUWGD9xW

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) October 12, 2026

The imagery leans into the moody, stylish tone that made the show famous. Jordan’s Tubbs looks cool and composed, while Butler’s Crockett is caught mid-action, giving the duo a clear contrast. It’s a deliberate nod to the partnership that defined the series.

The film is also officially a period piece, unlike the 2006 version, which was set in the present day. Its logline promises to explore the glamour and corruption of mid-1980s Miami, a city where huge wealth and drug-trade violence collide. The setting should give Kosinski plenty of room to play with the era’s look and feel.

Production is now underway in Miami, according to reports accompanying the first look. Kosinski is shooting the film for IMAX, continuing the large-format approach he used on ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ and ‘F1.’ Both of those films earned Best Picture Oscar nominations.

The filmmaker has said little publicly about his approach, but the casting and format suggest a big-budget, immersive take on the material. For fans of the original, the choice to set the story in the show’s own time period is likely to be welcome. It signals respect for the source rather than a modern reinvention.

Jordan, who recently won the best actor Oscar for ‘Sinners,’ leads the film alongside Butler, an Oscar nominee for ‘Elvis.’ The ensemble around them is deep, including John Leguizamo, Alden Ehrenreich, Walton Goggins, André Holland, Andrew Schulz, Danny Ramirez, Whitney Peak, Camila Morrone and Edi Gathegi. Michael Irby has also joined, according to recent reports.

Many of those names have been announced over the past several months, building anticipation. Ramirez previously worked with Kosinski on ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ which makes his involvement a reunion. Goggins and Leguizamo, meanwhile, look well suited to the film’s criminal side.

Universal has dated the film for May 19, 2028, after moving it from its original August 6, 2027 slot. That puts it in the early summer corridor, a prime spot for a major blockbuster. The delay has given the production more time to prepare, and it means fans will have a long wait.

Even so, the first look is a strong start. It shows that the filmmakers are committed to the style and attitude that made the original so influential. With two Oscar-recognized leads and a director with a record of big hits, expectations are high.

The reaction online has been intense, as fans debate how the new pair compares to the original duo. Early signs suggest the images have landed well, though the real test will come when audiences see the film in action. For now, the neon is back on.

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