Walton Goggins has been a familiar face on screen for years, but recent standout turns in Fallout and The White Lotus have catapulted him into a new tier of stardom. Before those hits, though, he earned his stripes in gritty crime dramas like The Shield, created by Shawn Ryan—the same mind behind S.W.A.T., The Night Agent, and Jon Hamm's latest legal thriller, American Hostage. After The Shield wrapped in the 2000s, Goggins found another iconic role in the Western series Justified, opposite Timothy Olyphant.
Now, Goggins is gearing up for a major big-screen comeback. While he's still slated to return for Fallout season three, likely arriving in 2027, all eyes are on his next project: Miami Vice '85, a reboot of the classic TV series that's already set for a May 19, 2028 release. Universal officially announced the film earlier this year, with recent Oscar nominee Michael B. Jordan stepping into the role of Ricardo Tubbs and Austin Butler taking on James 'Sonny' Crockett. Goggins has been cast in the film, reportedly as a henchman, though specifics about his character remain under wraps.
Production is currently underway in New Jersey—not Miami—and fans have gotten their first glimpse of Goggins in action thanks to set photos circulating on social media. The images show the actor in full costume, looking every bit the part of a shady figure in the neon-soaked world of the '80s. It's a tantalizing tease for what promises to be a stylish and intense crime thriller.
Who's Behind the Camera?
The script for Miami Vice '85 comes from Dan Gilroy and Eric Warren Singer, with Joseph Kosinski at the helm. Kosinski is no stranger to high-octane blockbusters—he directed Brad Pitt's 2025 hit F1, which grossed over $600 million worldwide and became a streaming sensation on Apple TV+. Before that, he helmed Tom Cruise's Top Gun: Maverick, a film that redefined the modern action spectacle. However, it's been confirmed that Kosinski won't return for the third Top Gun installment, leaving him free to focus on this new project.
With a director known for visual flair and a cast stacked with talent, Miami Vice '85 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated releases of 2028. The combination of Goggins' knack for playing memorable antagonists and the star power of Jordan and Butler is a recipe for cinematic gold. For fans of crime thrillers, this is a must-watch in the making.
If you're in the mood for more gripping crime stories, check out our list of the most flawless psychological thrillers since 2010 or dive into Netflix's underrated crime thriller 'Karma'. And for a look at another actor making waves in the genre, see Rami Malek's spy thriller dominating streaming charts.
Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on Miami Vice '85 as production continues. With filming underway and a 2028 release date locked in, the hype is only going to build from here.
