John Leguizamo is heading back into the criminal underworld, this time as part of the growing cast of Miami Vice ’85.
The veteran actor has joined Universal’s new big-screen take on the classic crime series, appearing alongside Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler. Leguizamo is set to play an antagonist in the film, giving the new Crockett and Tubbs a formidable adversary as they head into the neon-lit world of 1980s Miami.
Jordan will play Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs, while Butler takes over the role of James “Sonny” Crockett. The characters were originally made famous by Philip Michael Thomas and Don Johnson in the landmark television series.
Joseph Kosinski is directing the project following his work on large-scale films including Top Gun: Maverick and F1. His involvement suggests Universal is treating the revival as a major theatrical production rather than simply another television property getting a modern makeover.
Leguizamo joins an increasingly crowded ensemble. Alden Ehrenreich, Whitney Peak, Camila Morrone and Danny Ramirez are also part of the cast.
While full details surrounding Leguizamo’s character remain under wraps, he will serve as one of the film’s villains. Reports have also linked his character to a cartel operation, fitting naturally into a story built around undercover detectives navigating Miami’s criminal world.
Miami Vice ’85 is expected to draw heavily from the atmosphere that made the original series a cultural phenomenon. The new film will explore the glamour and corruption of Miami during the mid-1980s, taking inspiration from the television show’s pilot episode.
That means the familiar ingredients are lining up: undercover cops, organized crime, Miami nightlife and the unmistakable style of the era.
Dan Gilroy wrote the screenplay, with Eric Warren Singer having worked on an earlier version. Production is expected to get underway later in 2026, with filming planned in New York and Miami.
The franchise has already made the jump from television to theaters once before. Michael Mann directed the 2006 Miami Vice movie, which starred Colin Farrell as Crockett and Jamie Foxx as Tubbs.
This time, Kosinski has Jordan and Butler stepping into those roles, with Leguizamo now waiting for them on the other side of the law.
Miami Vice ’85 is currently scheduled to arrive in theaters on May 19, 2028.
