John Leguizamo cast as villain in Joseph Kosinski’s Miami Vice ’85 reboot

John Leguizamo will portray the main antagonist in Universal’s upcoming Miami Vice ’85, a film directed by Joseph Kosinski and scheduled for release on May 19, 2028.

John Leguizamo has been tapped to play the heavy in Universal’s reboot of the 1980s TV series, a project titled Miami Vice ’85. The casting was first reported by TheWrap and later confirmed by Yahoo. The film will also star Michael B. Jordan as Rico Tubbs and Austin Butler as Sonny Crockett, with a supporting ensemble that includes Alden Ehrenreich, Whitney Peak, Camila Morrone and Danny Ramirez.

The screenplay, written by Dan Gilroy, is based on characters created by Anthony Yerkovich for the original series, which Yerkovich executive-produced alongside Michael Mann. Eric Warren Singer contributed an earlier draft. Production is set to begin later this year, and the movie will be shot for IMAX, aiming for a May 19, 2028 theatrical release.

Leguizamo, who recently earned awards-season buzz for his role in The Odyssey, will reportedly portray a cartel boss, bringing his early Miami Vice TV appearances full circle. He is represented by UTA, Mosaic and Jackoway Austen, and his involvement adds another high-profile credit to his expanding résumé.

John Leguizamo’s villain role marks a return to the Miami Vice universe, where he appeared in several episodes early in his career. Sources indicate he will play a cartel boss, positioning him opposite the film’s two leads, Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler, who reprise the iconic partnership of Rico Tubbs and Sonny Crockett from the 1984 pilot episode.

The supporting cast features Alden Ehrenreich, Whitney Peak, Camila Morrone and Danny Ramirez, each slated to bring fresh faces to the mid-80s Miami setting. While the exact nature of Leguizamo’s character remains under wraps, his casting signals a blend of nostalgic nods and new narrative stakes for the reboot.

Leguizamo’s recent work includes a scene-stealing turn in The Odyssey, which became Universal’s highest-grossing film worldwide before inflation adjustment, and a forthcoming role in an untitled Daniels project. His addition to Miami Vice ’85 underscores the film’s strategy of pairing established talent with emerging stars.

Joseph Kosinski, known for directing Top Gun: Maverick and F1, will helm the reboot, bringing his experience with high-octane action to the Miami setting. Dan Gilroy, an Oscar-nominated screenwriter for Nightcrawler, penned the current script, while an earlier draft was written by Eric Warren Singer.

Universal has slated filming to begin later this year, with production slated for IMAX formats to capture the city’s neon-lit streets and beachside glamour. Executive Vice President of Production Development Sara Scott and Creative Executive Christina Hoffrogge will oversee the project for the studio, ensuring alignment with the franchise’s legacy.

The film’s release is set for May 19, 2028, positioning it as a summer-season tentpole for Universal. Producer Dylan Clark will join Kosinski in shepherding the project, while the studio’s broader slate continues to benefit from the momentum generated by The Odyssey’s box-office success.

Los Angeles’ film ecosystem thrives on high-profile reboots that generate local jobs and showcase the city’s iconic locales. Miami Vice ’85 will likely shoot on location in Miami Beach, but its LA-based talent pipeline, director Kosinski, producer Dylan Clark and the studio’s development team, reinforces the region’s role as the creative hub for major franchise revivals, keeping the industry’s economic engine humming through the next decade.