Miami Vice '85 (2028) - News & Updates

Whitney Peak has joined the cast of Miami Vice '85, the upcoming crime thriller from director Joseph Kosinski that will see Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler step into the iconic roles of Tubbs and Crockett. The project, slated for a May 18, 2028 release, is generating significant buzz as it reimagines the neon-soaked, drug-fueled world of the classic television series for a new generation.

Peak, known for her breakout role in Gossip Girl and her work in the horror film The Invitation, will play an as-yet-undisclosed character in the feature. Her casting adds another dynamic layer to a production already stacked with young, A-list talent, rounding out a principal trio alongside Jordan and Butler. Alden Ehrenreich is also attached to the film in a role that remains under wraps.

The film is described as an exploration of the glamour and corruption of mid-1980s Miami, drawing direct inspiration from the pilot episode of the original Miami Vice series. While the studio has kept the specific plot details closely guarded, the logline suggests a story steeped in the era’s signature aesthetic - pastel suits, speeding Ferraris, and a soundtrack pulsing with synthwave - set against a backdrop of high-stakes crime and moral decay. The project is being positioned not as a remake, but as an original narrative that captures the spirit of the show’s debut, offering a fresh take on the characters first immortalized by Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas in 1984.

For Kosinski, Miami Vice '85 represents a stylistic departure from his recent, effects-driven blockbusters like Top Gun: Maverick and Spiderhead. Known for his sleek, visceral visual language, he is expected to bring a cinematic gravity and breathtaking action to the source material, leaning into the gritty realism that defined the show’s revolutionary 1980s television aesthetic. The pairing of Kosinski with this IP has been one of the most talked-about developments in Hollywood since the project was first announced, promising a blend of nostalgic franchise appeal with a director’s singular vision.

Michael B. Jordan steps into the shoes of Detective Ricardo ‘Rico’ Tubbs, a character originally conceived as a sharp, undercover New York cop who travels south to avenge his partner's murder. Jordan, a producer and star known for his intensity in films like Creed and Black Panther, brings a palpable physicality and emotional depth to the role. Austin Butler, fresh off his Oscar-nominated, transformative performance in Elvis and his turn in Dune: Part Two, will embody Detective Sonny Crockett, the suave, troubled undercover officer with a law degree and a flip phone - the show's original, pre-cellphone symbol of cool. The dynamic between the two actors - one grounded in methodical grit, the other in charismatic recklessness - is expected to be the film's central engine.

The casting of Peak has been a closely watched development. Her character is rumored to be a pivotal figure who interacts with both leads, potentially navigating the murky waters between the Miami underworld and the detectives’ undercover operations. While details are scarce, peak's range, from teen drama to genre horror, suggests she could bring a nuanced blend of vulnerability and steel to whatever role she tackles. The lack of specific casting information has fueled speculation among fans, who are eager to see how she fits into Kosinski's reimagined Miami landscape.

Production on Miami Vice '85 is expected to begin in earnest later this year, with location shooting planned for Miami and its surrounding areas to capture the authentic, sun-bleached, art-deco ambiance of the period. The film’s production design is anticipated to be a major component of its appeal, recreating the specific, saturated look of 1985 - from the pastel wardrobe to the iconic convertibles - while updating the action sequences for a modern cinematic scale.

As the release date of May 18, 2028, draws closer, anticipation is only expected to build. The combination of a beloved property, a hit-making director in Kosinski, and a cast of rising and established stars makes Miami Vice '85 one of the most intriguing projects on Hollywood’s slate. With the addition of Whitney Peak, the film has secured another talent capable of delivering a memorable performance in a world where style and danger are inextricably linked. The blending of the show's legacy with a contemporary, big-budget presentation promises to deliver a visceral, stylish, and intense cinematic experience that could redefine a classic for a new era. For now, audiences can only speculate on the plot and the characters, content in the knowledge that one of the most anticipated reboots of the decade is moving full speed ahead.

Source: Hollywood Reporter