Thescreescore – The highly anticipated cinematic revival of the legendary 1980s crime drama, Miami Vice ’85, has officially cast its pivotal antagonist. With Austin Butler and Michael B. Jordan set to embody the iconic undercover detectives James "Sonny" Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs, the production has now unveiled acclaimed actor John Leguizamo as the formidable villain in Joseph Kosinski’s upcoming feature.
This ambitious new iteration, executive-produced by the original series’ visionary creator Michael Mann, promises to immerse audiences in the glamorous yet perilous world of mid-1980s Miami, exploring its infamous glitz and deep-seated corruption. Kosinski, fresh off the monumental critical and commercial triumph of Top Gun: Maverick and the upcoming F1 film, directs from a screenplay credited to Dan Gilroy, Eric Warren Singer, and Anthony Yerkovich.
According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter, Leguizamo joins an already impressive ensemble cast that includes Alden Ehrenreich, Whitney Peak, Camila Morrone, and Danny Ramirez. His role as the primary adversary will see him clash directly with Butler’s Crockett and Jordan’s Tubbs, the stylish law enforcers renowned for their signature panache, from high-speed pursuits in sleek boats to their iconic pastel wardrobes.
Related Post
Slated to commence principal photography in November, Miami Vice ’85 will be shot in IMAX, promising a visceral, visually arresting experience. Filming locations are set to span the vibrant streets of Miami and the bustling cityscape of New York. Universal Pictures has earmarked a theatrical release date of May 19, 2028, with Dylan Clark (The Batman) producing alongside Kosinski.
The film aims to offer a fresh perspective on the beloved franchise, drawing inspiration from the original Miami Vice pilot episode, which left an indelible cultural imprint. The series famously shaped trends across fashion, music, and luxury sports cars, including the legendary Ferrari Testarossa and Lamborghini Countach, becoming a defining moment in pop culture history.
John Leguizamo’s casting arrives amidst a particularly prolific and high-profile period for the actor. He is currently garnering significant awards season attention for his acclaimed performance as the loyal blind swineherd Eumaeus, opposite Matt Damon’s Odysseus, in Christopher Nolan’s summer blockbuster The Odyssey. That Universal Pictures release has already amassed a staggering $1.69 billion globally, marking it as the studio’s highest-grossing film of all time.
Beyond his role in Vice ’85, Leguizamo has also joined the next project from Everything Everywhere All at Once directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert at Universal, reuniting him with Matt Damon for a film currently shooting in Los Angeles. Furthermore, audiences can anticipate his presence in Mike Flanagan’s The Exorcist: Martyrs, also from Universal, scheduled for release on March 12, 2027.
While specific plot details regarding Leguizamo’s villain remain shrouded in secrecy, the original Miami Vice pilot episode saw Crockett and Tubbs investigating Colombian cocaine dealer Esteban Calderone. The 2006 film adaptation, also directed by Mann, featured transnational drug trafficking kingpin Arcángel de Jesús Montoya. It is highly probable that Leguizamo’s character in Vice ’85 will draw inspiration from these memorable antagonists from the franchise’s past, promising a daunting adversary for Miami’s most fashionable detectives.
Leave a Comment