Miami Vice 85 First Look Shows Michael B Jordan and Austin Butler as Filming Begins

Hollywood has a fresh look at a familiar pair of detectives. According to Variety, Universal's Miami Vice 85 reboot has released first look images of Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler in character as filming begins on the film.

Jordan plays Ricardo Tubbs and Butler plays Sonny Crockett, the undercover Miami partners made famous on television in the 1980s. Variety reports that the new movie draws on the glamour and corruption of mid 1980s Miami and takes inspiration from the pilot and first season of the original series.

First Look Arrives as Cameras Roll

Variety's Jordan Moreau reports that the studio shared the first look as production got underway. The timing matters for fans who have followed the project through casting news. Seeing Jordan and Butler in costume confirms the reboot has moved from development talk into active filming.

The original series ran from 1984 to 1989, with Don Johnson as Crockett and Philip Michael Thomas as Tubbs. That pairing helped define a whole look for crime drama on screen, from linen jackets to neon soaked nights. A modern reboot carries the challenge of honoring that style without turning it into costume party nostalgia.

A Loaded Cast Around Crockett and Tubbs

Variety lists a wide supporting ensemble for Miami Vice 85. The cast includes Alden Ehrenreich, Whitney Peak, Camila Morrone, Danny Ramirez, John Leguizamo, Andrew Schulz, Edi Gathegi, Walton Goggins, Andre Holland and Michael Irby.

That depth suggests a story interested in more than two leads on a boat. Large ensembles can give a crime world texture, provided the script keeps the central partnership clear. Fans will be watching whether the film protects the Crockett and Tubbs chemistry that made the show travel for decades.

Kosinski at the Helm With a 2028 Release Target

Joseph Kosinski is directing. Variety notes his recent work on F1 and Top Gun Maverick, films known for polished spectacle and precise craft. Pairing that sensibility with Miami Vice raises expectations for car chases, water work and a strong visual identity.

Variety reports the film is scheduled to arrive in theaters on May 19, 2028. That date gives the production a long runway after cameras start, which is common for effects heavy or location driven studio films. Dan Gilroy wrote the script based on characters created by Anthony Yerkovich for the television series, with an earlier draft by Eric Warren Singer, according to Variety. Dylan Clark and Kosinski produce, with Universal oversight from Sara Scott and Christina Hoffrogge.

Why the Reboot Is Drawing Attention Now

First look photos do more than feed social feeds. They set the tone conversation early. Viewers will study wardrobe, color and attitude for clues about whether Miami Vice 85 wants sleek modernity, period precision or a blend of both.

Jordan comes to the project after a major awards run for Sinners, Variety notes, and is also preparing The Thomas Crown Affair, which he directs and stars in opposite Adria Arjona. Butler's next film, per Variety, is A24's Enemies with Jeremy Allen White. Two busy leads attached to a branded reboot signals studio confidence, though confidence still has to survive the edit.

What to Watch Between Now and Release

Between filming and the 2028 release, expect more official stills, set photography and eventually a trailer that reveals how the movie sounds. Music and needle drops were part of the original show's identity, so the soundtrack conversation will matter as much as the gunplay.

For now, the verified headline is straightforward. Variety reports that Miami Vice 85 has begun filming and has shown Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler as Tubbs and Crockett. The reboot has a director with a track record for large scale craft, a crowded supporting cast and a clear theatrical target. Whether it captures the cool of the original will be answered on screen. Until then, the first look is the cleanest signal yet that this particular Miami night shift is officially underway.