Austin Butler in Talks to Play Sonny Crockett in New Miami Vice Movie
Austin Butler is reportedly joining Michael B. Jordan in Joseph Kosinski’s Miami Vice reboot for Universal Pictures. Here’s what we know about the film. Read now!
Introduction
Austin Butler might be heading to 1980s Miami. According to Variety and Deadline, the Oscar-nominated actor is in early talks to star as James “Sonny” Crockett in Miami Vice, a reboot of the iconic TV crime drama directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick). If the deal closes, Butler will join Michael B. Jordan, who’s set to play Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs.
The project is backed by Universal Pictures, with Dylan Clark and Kosinski producing. It’s not a small revival—this version of Miami Vice will be filmed for IMAX and aims for a global theatrical release on August 6, 2027.
For entertainment journalists, this matters because it shows how studios are repackaging ‘80s nostalgia for modern audiences using proven box office draws like Butler and Jordan. Unlike streaming projects that disappear in weeks, this is a full-scale theatrical swing meant to revive one of the most style-defining cop stories in TV history.
The Casting: Austin Butler and Michael B. Jordan Take the Lead
Casting is the backbone of any reboot, and this one’s impressive. Butler—still riding high from Elvis and Dune: Part Two—would take over Don Johnson’s iconic role as Sonny Crockett. Jordan, fresh off Creed III and his work behind the camera, would play Rico Tubbs, the role made famous by Philip Michael Thomas.
This pairing isn’t random. Hollywood’s been looking for a buddy-cop dynamic that balances charisma with intensity. Butler’s rise has been steady since Elvis earned him a Golden Globe and a BAFTA, and Jordan’s become a bankable star-producer hybrid. Together, they check every box for a franchise reboot: star power, generational appeal, and the acting range to bring nuance to stylized crime storytelling.
Deadline reported that Universal adjusted its production calendar to align both actors’ schedules. That’s a good indicator this project has serious backing—and that both stars see Miami Vice as more than a paycheck film.
Joseph Kosinski’s Vision for Miami Vice Reboot
Joseph Kosinski doesn’t do small projects. After turning Top Gun: Maverick into one of the highest-grossing films of 2022 and finishing F1: The Movie for Apple and Brad Pitt, his next move is revisiting the world of sun-soaked crime and synth beats.
Kosinski’s version of Miami Vice will focus on the “glamour and corruption of mid-1980s Miami,” according to the official logline. It’s inspired by the pilot episode and first season of the original series. That means fans can expect more character-driven stories and less emphasis on flashy cars or fashion for their own sake—though those things will still matter.
Screenwriters Eric Warren Singer (Top Gun: Maverick) and Dan Gilroy (Nightcrawler) are behind the script. That combination is intriguing: Singer brings blockbuster discipline, Gilroy brings psychological grit. If executed well, this could modernize Miami Vice the way Maverick did for Top Gun—nostalgic but emotionally current.
The Legacy: Why Miami Vice Still Matters
You can’t overstate how much the original Miami Vice shaped visual culture. When it premiered in 1984, it changed TV forever. The show introduced pastel suits, pop music montages, and cinematic storytelling to network television. Michael Mann, who executive produced the original series, pushed the idea that television could look like film.
The 2006 movie adaptation starring Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx tried to replicate that intensity, but it came at a strange time—between the end of noir thrillers and before prestige TV took over. Critics were mixed, but it’s gained a cult following for its raw digital style and Mann’s commitment to realism.
So why reboot it again? Simple: nostalgia sells, and 1980s settings are back in demand thanks to Stranger Things, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, and Top Gun: Maverick. But Kosinski’s version isn’t being built for irony. It’s being designed as a high-budget reimagining with today’s technology and a global audience in mind.
Austin Butler’s Career Shift: From Elvis to Sonny Crockett
Austin Butler’s trajectory is rare. He went from Nickelodeon and CW shows (Zoey 101, The Carrie Diaries) to leading Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis—and it worked. He won major awards, got an Oscar nomination, and then proved his range again as Feyd-Rautha in Dune: Part Two.
If Miami Vice happens, it’ll be another sharp pivot. Butler’s career has become defined by tonal jumps: period dramas, sci-fi epics, war miniseries (Masters of the Air), and now an ‘80s crime thriller. That flexibility is what keeps him valuable in an industry trying to balance artistry and star appeal.
It’s worth noting that his rumored involvement in Heat 2, also tied to Michael Mann, adds an ironic twist—he may play in two separate worlds originally built by the same filmmaker.
Production Timeline and Release Plan
According to Variety, production is expected to start in 2026. The film’s theatrical release is already set for August 6, 2027, and it will be shot with IMAX cameras. That choice matters—IMAX isn’t cheap, and Universal wouldn’t spend that kind of money unless it believes Miami Vice could compete with major franchises.
Dylan Clark, who produced The Batman and War for the Planet of the Apes, is co-producing. Between Kosinski’s technical precision and Clark’s franchise-building experience, Miami Vice is designed as a potential series-starter, not just a one-off nostalgia trip.
Universal hasn’t commented on casting or story details yet, which is typical at this stage. But pre-production tracking lists confirm costume and location scouting in Miami and Los Angeles, echoing the dual settings of the original show.
Industry Reaction and What It Means for Reboots
Hollywood’s current reboot cycle isn’t slowing down, but this project feels different. Most reboots are quick streaming grabs. This one’s theatrical, IMAX, and backed by proven filmmakers.
Reactions on social media have been positive. Posts on X (formerly Twitter) from film commentators and fan accounts highlight the Butler–Jordan pairing as “the most stylish duo since Farrell and Foxx.” On Google Trends, search interest for “Miami Vice reboot” spiked 800% within 24 hours of the Variety announcement (as of October 30, 2025).
For entertainment journalists, this kind of project tests whether nostalgia still works in theaters. If Miami Vice lands well, expect studios to greenlight other ‘80s-based revivals with A-list leads.
FAQs
1. Who is directing the new Miami Vice movie?
Joseph Kosinski, best known for Top Gun: Maverick and Tron: Legacy, is directing the Miami Vice reboot for Universal Pictures. He’ll also produce alongside Dylan Clark.
2. Who are the lead actors in the Miami Vice reboot?
Austin Butler is in early talks to play Sonny Crockett, while Michael B. Jordan is expected to play Ricardo Tubbs. Both actors are known for their versatile performances and box office draw.
3. When will Miami Vice be released?
The film is currently dated for August 6, 2027, according to Variety. Production is expected to begin in 2026.
4. What is the movie about?
It’s inspired by the pilot and first season of the 1980s TV series, focusing on the balance between Miami’s glamorous nightlife and its criminal underworld.
5. Was there a previous Miami Vice movie?
Yes, Michael Mann directed a 2006 version starring Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx. It was a gritty, realistic take on the original series.
6. Is Michael Mann involved in the new reboot?
Not directly. However, the film uses characters created by Mann and Anthony Yerkovich, who produced the original show.
Conclusion
Austin Butler and Michael B. Jordan joining Miami Vice isn’t just another casting story. It signals how Hollywood is treating reboots now—big budgets, theatrical ambitions, and creative teams with actual track records.
Kosinski’s involvement alone guarantees precision filmmaking, and with two of the industry’s most recognizable young stars, Miami Vice might actually have a chance to bridge old-school television fans and modern audiences. Whether it succeeds will depend on tone—if it balances style and substance the way the original did, this could be one of Universal’s defining releases of 2027.
