‘Miami Vice ’85’ First Look Reveals Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler as Crockett and Tubbs

The first look at Miami Vice ’85 has finally arrived, giving fans their first glimpse of Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler stepping into two of television’s most recognizable detective roles. The images, released on October 12, 2026, also confirm that production is underway, turning the long-awaited reboot from a casting announcement into a project audiences can begin to picture.

Jordan plays Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs, while Butler takes on Sonny Crockett. Their casting has already drawn attention because the original series made these characters famous through Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas. The new film now faces a bigger challenge than recreating familiar looks: it must capture the atmosphere and attitude that made Miami Vice a defining crime drama of the 1980s.

Miami Vice ’85: At a Glance

Detail	Confirmed information
Film	Miami Vice ’85
Michael B. Jordan	Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs
Austin Butler	Sonny Crockett
Director	Joseph Kosinski
Screenwriter	Dan Gilroy
Production status	In production as of October 12, 2026
Theatrical release	May 19, 2028
Main inspiration	The original series’ pilot and first season

First-Look Images Put the New Duo in Character

The official Miami Vice ’85 account shared the first-look images on October 12, introducing Jordan as Tubbs and Butler as Crockett. The announcement also confirmed that the movie had entered production.

The images offer an early look at how the film is approaching its period setting. Rather than presenting the characters as modern detectives in a familiar franchise, the project returns to Miami in 1985, when undercover police work, designer fashion and the city’s nightlife formed the backdrop of the original story.

That setting matters. The title signals a specific era, not simply a new version of the franchise. Viewers will likely be watching for the clothing, cars, music and visual style that helped make the original show stand apart from other police dramas.

However, first-look photos can only reveal so much. They do not yet establish the film’s full visual approach, soundtrack or how closely its story will follow the original series.

Why Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler Are Interesting Choices

Jordan and Butler bring different screen personas to the partnership, giving the filmmakers room to establish a new dynamic without ignoring the characters’ history.

Jordan’s Tubbs is one half of a detective team that relies on trust and cooperation while working undercover. Butler’s Crockett must carry the role’s cool confidence and streetwise instincts without simply imitating Don Johnson’s performance.

The original actors created an enduring pairing, but the reboot does not need to reproduce every mannerism to work. Its stronger opportunity lies in making Crockett and Tubbs feel like partners shaped by the dangers and contradictions of mid-1980s Miami.

Joseph Kosinski, known for directing Top Gun: Maverick and F1, is leading the film. Dan Gilroy wrote the screenplay, drawing on characters created by Miami Vice television creator Anthony Yerkovich.

Universal has described the project as an exploration of the glamour and corruption of mid-1980s Miami. The film draws inspiration from the original show’s pilot and first season, rather than being presented as a direct continuation of the television series.

What the Original Miami Vice Means for the Reboot

The original Miami Vice premiered in September 1984 and became known for combining undercover crime stories with a distinctive visual identity. Johnson played Crockett, while Thomas portrayed Tubbs, a New York detective who comes to Miami after a personal tragedy and joins the city’s vice unit.

The series made its setting part of the storytelling. Neon-lit streets, waterfront locations, pastel clothing, fast cars and carefully selected music helped create a world that felt different from the standard police procedural.

That influence extended beyond television. The show helped popularize a particular 1980s look and demonstrated how music and visual style could shape the mood of a crime drama.

For Miami Vice ’85, this creates both an advantage and a risk. The film has a clear visual legacy to draw from, but simply recreating the wardrobe and color palette would not be enough. Modern audiences also need a compelling crime story and characters whose choices feel meaningful.

The decision to revisit the pilot and first season gives the film a useful foundation. Those early stories introduced the partnership and the undercover world that made the series memorable, giving the reboot a chance to establish its own version of the characters from the beginning.

Who Else Is Joining the Cast?

Jordan and Butler lead a supporting cast that includes Alden Ehrenreich, Whitney Peak, Camila Morrone, Danny Ramirez, John Leguizamo, Andrew Schulz, Edi Gathegi, Walton Goggins, André Holland and Michael Irby.

The studio has not publicly explained every character’s role in the story, so the supporting cast’s exact place in the plot remains limited by the information available so far.

Leguizamo’s involvement adds a notable connection to the original series. He made his television debut in Miami Vice in 1986, appearing as Orlando Calderone. His return to the franchise decades later gives the new film a link to the show’s history, although viewers will have to wait for more details about his new character.

The ensemble also suggests that the movie will need more than the central partnership to carry its story. The original series often placed Crockett and Tubbs inside a wider network of criminals, informants and law-enforcement figures. The new film has an opportunity to build a similarly layered version of Miami’s underworld.

When Will Miami Vice ’85 Be Released?

Universal Pictures currently lists Miami Vice ’85 for a theatrical release on May 19, 2028.

The studio previously scheduled the film for August 6, 2027, before moving it to the May 2028 date in April 2026. With production now underway, the first-look images provide an early promotional milestone, but the movie remains some time away from reaching theaters.

No complete trailer or detailed plot synopsis accompanied the October 12 first-look announcement. More information about the story, additional characters and the film’s soundtrack may emerge as production continues.

For now, the images give fans a first chance to judge the new interpretations of Crockett and Tubbs, while the release date sets expectations for a longer wait.

What Happened to Crockett and Tubbs in the Original Series?

The original series ended with the two detectives leaving their police careers behind after a final case exposed corruption and left them disillusioned with the system they served.

In the finale, Crockett prepares to head farther south, while Tubbs plans to return to New York. Their parting is not a dramatic falling-out between the partners. Instead, the ending leaves them facing separate futures after years of working together.

That unresolved feeling helped preserve the characters’ appeal. Crockett and Tubbs had spent the series taking risks together, but the finale acknowledged that their partnership could not shield them from every consequence of the work.

The new film is inspired by the early episodes, so it is not yet clear whether it will refer to the original ending or establish a separate version of the story.

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FAQs About Miami Vice ’85

What happened to Crockett and Tubbs from Miami Vice?

In the original series finale, Crockett and Tubbs quit the police force after a case leaves them disillusioned. Crockett plans to head farther south, while Tubbs intends to return to New York.

What is the most famous scene in Miami Vice?

One of the show’s best-known sequences comes from the pilot, “Brother’s Keeper,” when Crockett and Tubbs pursue a criminal operation as Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” plays. The combination of music, tension and nighttime Miami imagery became closely associated with the series.

Is Michael B. Jordan in Miami Vice?

Yes. Michael B. Jordan stars as Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs in Miami Vice ’85. Austin Butler plays Sonny Crockett, the role originally made famous by Don Johnson.

Why did Tubbs leave Miami Vice?

Tubbs does not leave the original series permanently midway through its run. In the finale, he decides to return to New York after he and Crockett abandon the police force. The character also temporarily quits the team during the third-season episode “Red Tape,” following a dispute over a police investigation and departmental corruption.

The Real Test Is More Than Nostalgia

The first look at Miami Vice ’85 gives fans a tangible glimpse of Jordan and Butler in roles that carry decades of pop-culture history. It also confirms that the project has moved into production, making October 12 a significant update for anyone following the reboot.

The film has a strong creative foundation in its director, lead actors and return to the original show’s mid-1980s setting. But its success will depend on more than recognizable faces and period fashion. It needs a fresh story, a convincing partnership and a distinctive sense of place.

With a May 19, 2028, release date, there is still time for Universal to reveal how the film will balance its legacy with a new interpretation. For now, the first-look images have given fans the first piece of the picture: Crockett and Tubbs are back, but their next chapter has yet to be told.