A few weeks ago, a Nexus Point News report had Michael B. Jordan and Glen Powell circling the lead roles in Joseph Kosinski’s upcoming “Miami Vice” reboot for Universal. Turns out, they got half the info right.
Yesterday, Jordan was confirmed to be in talks to play Ricardo Tubbs, but it’s not Powell who will be playing James “Sonny” Crockett — it’s Austin Butler. Deadline reports Butler is “engaged and interested” in the role, which, in trade speak, means he wants to take it on.
It’s quite possible that Powell had to bow out of the “Miami Vice” sweepstakes given his busy schedule, which includes projects with Damien Chazelle, Barry Jenkins, and J.J. Abrams, as well as “Top Gun 3,” “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” and, of course, season 2 of “Chad Powers.”
“Miami Vice” is eyeing a late 2026 shoot, which means that Butler, coming off “Dune: Part II” and “Caught Stealing,” might not be able to fit in Michael Mann’s “Heat 2,” which is supposed to shoot around the same timeframe. Given Kosinski’s knack for lengthy shoots, Mann’s sequel might not be a possibility.
Dan Gilroy (“Nightcrawler,” “Andor”) wrote the latest draft of “Miami Vice,” based on an earlier version by Eric Warren Singer (“Top Gun: Maverick”).
According to Variety, the film “explores the glamour and corruption of mid-80s Miami” and draws inspiration from the pilot and first season of the original TV series — the show that basically defined an era, from neon fashion to cinematic cool.
Universal has already set an August 6, 2027, release date for “Miami Vice.” More casting is expected to be announced soon.