John Leguizamo joins “Miami Vice ’85”: set to play the villain alongside Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler

Hollywood is bringing one of the most beloved chapters of American television to life: John Leguizamo will play the villain, the main antagonist, in “Miami Vice ’85”, Universal’s new film reviving the iconic ’80s series. The news was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter and confirmed by TheWrap on September 17, 2026, making Leguizamo the latest addition to an increasingly star-studded cast.

Austin Butler and Michael B. Jordan have been cast in the lead roles of detectives Sonny Crockett and Rico Tubbs. Alongside them, the cast also includes Alden Ehrenreich, Whitney Peak, Camila Morrone and Danny Ramirez. In this constellation of stars, Leguizamo is expected to be “the heavy” — the figure who will give voice to the threat at the heart of the story.

The film is directed by Joseph Kosinski, the director of “Top Gun: Maverick” and “F1”, with a script by Oscar nominee Dan Gilroy (“Nightcrawler”), based on characters created by Anthony Yerkovich. The film’s producers are Dylan Clark and Kosinski himself.

Filming begins later this year, with theatrical release set for May 19, 2028. Leguizamo joins the project after the success of Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey”, the highest-grossing film in Universal’s history, with over $1.67 billion in global box office.

The original series “Miami Vice” (1984–1989) became a cultural phenomenon with its neon aesthetic, unforgettable fashion and famous soundtrack, leaving an indelible mark on the pop culture of the ’80s.

Source: TheWrap