Nearly two decades after Michael Mann's big-screen take on the iconic TV series divided audiences, a new generation is ready to cruise the neon-lit streets of Miami. Miami Vice '85, directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) and starring Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler, is revving up for a May 19, 2028 release from Universal Pictures. With a script by Dan Gilroy (Nightcrawler), this reboot promises to dive into the glamour and corruption of mid-1980s Miami—a sharp contrast to Mann's 2006 film, which was set in the then-present day and now feels like a time capsule of flip phones and low-rise jeans.
Kosinski, who reportedly stepped away from Top Gun 3 to focus on this project, is assembling a dream team. The film will be shot in IMAX, a format he mastered with Top Gun: Maverick and last year's F1. That premium large-format treatment signals Universal's confidence in turning this into a must-see theatrical event. The studio has been on a roll with auteur-driven blockbusters, balancing big swings like Disclosure Day and The Odyssey with reliable animated hits from Illumination and DreamWorks.
Who's Playing Crockett and Tubbs?
After months of rumors, Jordan and Butler are officially confirmed as the undercover narcotics officers. Butler, fresh off his transformative turn in Elvis and reportedly circling Michael Mann's Heat 2, brings intensity and range. Jordan, an Oscar nominee and box-office draw, is coming off the horror-thriller Sinners and seems poised to turn this reboot into another cultural phenomenon. Interestingly, Glen Powell was initially considered for the role of Crockett, which would have reunited him with his Top Gun: Maverick director, but the part ultimately went to Butler.
Tom Cruise as the Villain? Here's the Buzz
The most tantalizing rumor swirling around Miami Vice '85 is the potential casting of Tom Cruise as the film's antagonist. While unconfirmed, the idea has legs: Cruise worked with Kosinski on Oblivion and Top Gun: Maverick, and he's been seeking challenging, against-type roles post-Mission: Impossible. If it happens, this would be Cruise's first villainous part since Collateral—also directed by Michael Mann. It could also serve as a symbolic passing of the torch from one generation's leading man to the next.
For fans of crime dramas, this is an exciting time. The Miami Vice reboot joins a wave of high-profile projects, including Tom Hardy's 'MobLand' Season 2 and 'Den of Thieves 2', that are keeping the genre alive and kicking.
Why This Reboot Feels Different
The original 1980s TV series didn't just tell cop stories—it defined an era of pastel suits, fast cars, and synthwave soundtracks. Kosinski's film aims to tap into that nostalgia while delivering a fresh, modern take. The title Miami Vice '85 signals a specific time period, allowing the filmmakers to lean into the decade's glossy aesthetic without being beholden to the original show's continuity. That's a smart move, especially in an age where reboots often struggle to justify their existence.
As of April 2026, plot details remain scarce, and that's by design. In a world of constant leaks and spoilers, Universal is keeping things under wraps—letting the star power of Jordan and Butler, plus Kosinski's track record, do the talking. The film was originally slated for August 2027 but was pushed back, likely to give the team more time to perfect the vision. For fans of crime thrillers, the wait will be worth it.
For more on the evolution of crime cinema, check out our list of 10 Biopics That Actually Deliver Great Cinema.
