Speedboats, pastel suits, and pulsing synth beats are gearing up for a comeback. Universal Pictures has officially tapped Joseph Kosinski, the director behind Top Gun: Maverick, to helm a new Miami Vice movie, per THR. Dan Gilroy, best known for Nightcrawler and his work on Andor, will be penning the script.
Casting has yet to be announced, and no production start date has been set. Kosinski is currently wrapping up work on F1, a high-octane racing film starring Brad Pitt and Javier Bardem, slated for release this summer. Once that project crosses the finish line, all eyes will turn to his take on the neon-soaked streets of Miami. While no release window has been set, expectations are already running high based on Kosinski’s proven ability to marry sleek visuals with grounded character-driven storytelling.
Universal’s decision to reboot Miami Vice for the big screen comes nearly two decades after Michael Mann’s 2006 film adaptation. That earlier movie, starring Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx as Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs, struggled to find box office success. The original Miami Vice series, which aired from 1984 to 1989, broke new ground for television with its bold colour palette, moody cinematography, and a soundtrack that helped define an era. Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas turned Crockett and Tubbs into household names, and the show’s blend of action, fashion, and music left an indelible mark on pop culture.
With Top Gun 3 reportedly in early discussions but facing delays due to Tom Cruise’s packed schedule, Kosinski’s move to Miami Vice signals that fans may be waiting longer than expected for another return to the danger zone. In the meantime, revitalising the undercover exploits of Sonny and Rico for a new generation could offer Kosinski another shot at redefining an 80s classic for modern audiences.
No details about casting have emerged yet. For now, fans can only hope that the spirit of fast cars, slow-motion action, and synth-driven soundtracks will once again hit the silver screen with the style and swagger Miami Vice demands.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
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