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Universal Pictures has expanded the ensemble for its upcoming crime thriller Miami Vice 85 movie, adding actor André Holland to the high-profile project.
Holland, widely recognized for his acclaimed performances in Moonlight and Steven Soderbergh’s drama The Knick, joins a cast led by Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler. The production, directed by Joseph Kosinski, is scheduled to begin filming in November 2026, with locations set for both New York and Miami.
A Reimagined Period Crime Drama
Written by screenwriter Dan Gilroy, Miami Vice '85 explores the glamour, underworld culture, and systemic corruption of mid-1980s southern Florida. Unlike Michael Mann's 2006 contemporary cinematic adaptation starring Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx, Kosinski's project returns to the period setting of the original 1980s television series.
The screenplay draws direct inspiration from the 1984 NBC pilot episode, "Brother’s Keeper," and the fundamental structural elements of the show's first season. Originally created by Anthony Yerkovich and executive produced by Michael Mann, the landmark television series left a profound footprint on global fashion, pop culture, and television production styles throughout its initial six-year run.
Leading and Ensemble Cast Details
While the specific details of Holland's character are currently being kept under wraps by the studio, he enters a heavily populated ensemble of established performers.
The primary investigative roles have already been assigned to the project's anchors. Michael B. Jordan is locked in to portray Detective Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs, while Austin Butler will step into the role of Detective James "Sonny" Crockett—characters originally made famous by Philip Michael Thomas and Don Johnson. The narrative follows the two undercover vice detectives as they navigate drug trafficking rings, organized crime syndicates, and the conspicuous wealth of the era.
Beyond Jordan, Butler, and Holland, Universal has finalized several key casting decisions over the preceding weeks:
- John Leguizamo has been cast to portray the central antagonist, reportedly a cartel kingpin. The role marks a thematic return for Leguizamo, who appeared in early guest-starring roles on the original television broadcast.
- Walton Goggins will feature as a villainous character, reportedly playing a chief henchman tied directly to Leguizamo’s antagonist.
- Alden Ehrenreich, Whitney Peak, and Camila Morrone joined the production earlier in the third quarter of 2026 to support the broader narrative framework.
- Danny Ramirez, Edi Gathegi, and Andrew Schulz round out the primary supporting roster.
Production Timeline and Technical Scale
The feature film is being produced by Dylan Clark via Dylan Clark Productions alongside Kosinski. Universal Pictures' Executive Vice President of Production Development Sara Scott and Creative Executive Christina Hoffrogge are overseeing the project's development on behalf of the studio.
Kosinski, whose directorial credits include major commercial releases such as Top Gun: Maverick and the upcoming racing feature F1, is planning to leverage advanced technical formats for the period crime drama. Universal Pictures has confirmed that Miami Vice '85 will be shot specifically for IMAX presentation, utilizing modern cinematic technology to frame the stylized neon aesthetics of the historical setting.
The theatrical release of the Miami Vice 85 movie has been mapped out following studio schedule modifications. Initially targeted for a late 2027 window, Universal Pictures has officially scheduled the film to open in international and domestic theaters on May 19, 2028.
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