- Joseph Kosinski (Tron: Legacy, Top Gun: Maverick, F1) is continuing his love affair with the 80s by directing a Miami Vice reboot film for Universal.
- This adaptation of the classic police procedural – written by Dan Gilroy (Nightcrawler, The Bourne Legacy) – marks the second revival after Michael Mann’s 2006 feature.
- Miami Vice reboot release date (international): August 6th, 2027.
At this stage, Joseph Kosinski has soundly proven to be a worthy custodian of beloved legacy franchises.
After an electric Tron sequel (which has only aged like fine wine compared to the recent Jared Leto-led Tron: Ares), the universally acclaimed Top Gun: Maverick (plus the long-discussed threequel on the horizon), and most recently, Apple’s F1 starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris – essentially a remake of Sylvester Stallone’s Driven – the director is now setting his sights on a Miami Vice adaptation for Universal.
RELATED: David Fincher Reuniting With Brad Pitt For $200 Million ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’ Sequel
“[Kosinski’s Miami Vice] will explore the glamour and corruption of mid-80s Miami… inspired by the pilot episode and first season of the landmark television series that influenced culture and set the style of everything from fashion to filmmaking,” explains Pamela McClintock of The Hollywood Reporter.
McClintock went on to elaborate how the in-demand director will once again capture the footage for IMAX in order to “enhance the sights and sounds of the iconic series” created by Anthony Yerkovich and executive produced by Heat filmmaker Michael Mann; the latter of whom would eventually helm the feature film of the same name starring Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell.
The game-changing nature of the original, which followed the highly stylised exploits of undercover detectives James “Sonny” Crockett (Don Johnson) and Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas), is not to be understated.
From featuring pop tracks of the era like Phil Collins’ ‘In The Air Tonight’ to car chases in enviable cocaine-white Ferrari Testarossas and Lamborghini Countaches, Miami Vice is widely credited for being the first truly modern attempt at the police procedural, easing into 80s icon status without any debate whatsoever. Pastel suits with rolled-up sleeves and all.
As for the “who” of it all, in line with the earlier rumblings circulating the cyberspace, fresh reports has indicated a very interested Michael B. Jordan is engaging in discussions to assume the mantle of Rico Tubbs.
“Rumours have been flying for months about who might star in the new project, with Jordan’s name being linked at least once. But sources say the official offer only came in over the past week after the studio worked to move dates so that Jordan could finish post on his next directing gig, The Thomas Crown Affair, and also shoot this,” explains Justin Kroll of Deadline.
Assuming said rumblings continue to be on the money, then that means we could be seeing the Creed and Sinners star partnering with the now-ubiquitous Glen Powell – who Kosinski famously directed for Top Gun: Maverick – taking on the role of Sonny Crockett. Because of course he would.
RELATED: Michael Bay Teases Follow-Up To Classic Bro Cry Flick ‘Armageddon’
The Miami Vice reboot’s screenplay is currently being penned by Dan Gilroy, who wrote and directed Nightcrawler; in addition to having written the likes of The Bourne Legacy and Roman J. Israel, Esq starring Denzel Washington. Casting is now underway with principal photography reportedly scheduled to kick off sometime next year.
But before cameras can actually begin rolling on this, Joseph Kosinski will have his hands full with a UFO whistleblower movie dubbed Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (formerly Unidentified Flying Objects) – written by the Academy Award-nominated Zach Baylin (King Richard, Creed III, The Order) and produced by the legendary Jerry Bruckheimer.
And yes, this was yet another project that was subject to an intense bidding war in which Apple also prevailed. Keep an eye out here for future updates on Joseph Kosinski’s Miami Vice reboot (casting, story, trailer, news, etc.).
