Michael B. Jordan is in early talks to star as Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs in Universal’s upcoming reboot of Miami Vice, with Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) set to direct. The film is slated for release on August 6, 2027.
Hollywood heavyweight Michael B. Jordan is circling the lead role in Universal Pictures’ long-gestating reboot of Miami Vice, sources confirm. The Creed and Black Panther star is in early negotiations to portray Detective Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs, one half of the legendary undercover duo that defined 1980s television cool.
The film, directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick, Oblivion), aims to reimagine the neon-drenched world of mid-’80s Miami, drawing inspiration from the pilot and first season of the original NBC series created by Anthony Yerkovich. The show, which ran from 1984 to 1989, starred Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas as Sonny Crockett and Rico Tubbs—two Metro-Dade detectives navigating the city’s glitz, vice, and danger.
According to reports, Jordan was officially offered the role after Universal adjusted the production schedule to accommodate his post-production commitments on The Thomas Crown Affair, which he is directing. Insiders say the actor was “blown away” by the latest script, penned by Eric Warren Singer (Top Gun: Maverick) and Dan Gilroy (Nightcrawler).
While Jordan’s casting is not yet finalized, the studio is actively searching for his on-screen partner, Sonny Crockett. Austin Butler (Elvis) is reportedly in early talks for the role, potentially reuniting the two actors as the next generation of Miami Vice’s iconic duo.
The reboot is being produced by Dylan Clark (The Batman) alongside Kosinski, with a targeted release date of August 6, 2027. If the deal closes, Jordan would step into a role that blends suave charisma with streetwise grit—traits he’s embodied in past performances.
This marks the second big-screen adaptation of Miami Vice, following Michael Mann’s 2006 version starring Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell. That film grossed over $160 million worldwide and has since gained cult status for its moody aesthetic and brooding tone.
With Kosinski at the helm and Jordan potentially leading the charge, Universal’s Miami Vice is shaping up to be a stylish, high-octane revival of a cultural touchstone. Stay tuned as casting and production details continue to unfold.
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