MIAMI, Fla. — In a casting move that has sent shockwaves through Hollywood, Tom Cruise is reportedly the frontrunner to play the primary antagonist in the upcoming Miami Vice film reboot.
The project, which is being directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), would reunite Cruise with the filmmaker for their third collaboration. More notably, it would mark Cruise’s first turn as a villain since his acclaimed performance as the silver-haired hitman Vincent in Michael Mann’s 2004 thriller, Collateral.
A 1980s Period Piece
Unlike the 2006 film adaptation which opted for a gritty, modern aesthetic, Kosinski’s take is reportedly a “full-on” 1980s period piece. The script, penned by Dan Gilroy (Nightcrawler) and Eric Warren Singer, draws heavy inspiration from the pilot and first season of the original NBC series.
- The Setting: Mid-1980s Miami, exploring the “glamour and corruption” of the era’s criminal underworld.
- The Format: Produced by Michael Mann and shot specifically for IMAX, the film aims to capture the neon-soaked, high-speed boat chases that defined the franchise.
The New Crockett and Tubbs
While Cruise is being eyed for the “Big Bad,” the undercover detectives at the heart of the story are already taking shape. Austin Butler (Elvis) is in talks to step into Don Johnson’s iconic white linen suit as James “Sonny” Crockett, while Oscar winner Michael B. Jordan is set to play Ricardo Tubbs.
”Michael is someone I’ve admired for a long time, and Austin is proving himself as someone to watch,” Kosinski said at a recent industry event. “If it ends up being those two, I’d be very lucky indeed.”
Why Now for Cruise?
Industry insiders suggest that after wrapping up his long run with the Mission: Impossible saga, Cruise is looking to explore more “unconventional and varied” roles. Playing a high-intensity villain in a Michael Mann-produced project offers the perfect opportunity to subvert his hero persona.
The production is expected to begin filming in Miami this June. Universal Pictures has already claimed an August 6, 2027 release date for what is shaping up to be one of the biggest blockbusters of that summer.
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