John Leguizamo cast as the villain in Miami Vice ’85

John Leguizamo has been cast as the main villain in Miami Vice ’85, Joseph Kosinski’s period reboot of the 1980s crime series. The film will star Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler, with filming expected to begin in November.

John Leguizamo returns to Miami Vice in Miami Vice ’85

The Hollywood Reporter first reported the casting, with IGN confirming that Leguizamo will play a cartel boss. The film’s plot details remain under wraps, so the character’s name and relationship to the detectives have not been announced. IGN’s report notes that Leguizamo made his television debut on Miami Vice in 1986, one year after the show’s first season.

That gives the casting a direct connection to the original series. Leguizamo played Orlando Calderone, the vengeful son of cartel boss Esteban Calderone, in two episodes. IGN reports that he also played another drug dealer in the show’s fifth season, but the new film has not been linked to either character.

What is Miami Vice ’85 about?

Miami Vice ’85 is set in the mid-1980s and follows two detectives working undercover in a city shaped by glamour and corruption. Kosinski’s film draws particularly from the TV series’ pilot and first season, which ran from 1984 to 1985. The Hollywood Reporter says the film will be shot in New York and Miami for IMAX.

The cast also includes Alden Ehrenreich, Whitney Peak, Camila Morrone and Danny Ramirez. Dan Gilroy and Eric Singer wrote the screenplay, based on characters created by Anthony Yerkovich. Dylan Clark and Kosinski are producing.

Universal Pictures has set Miami Vice ’85 for cinemas on May 19, 2028. No UAE cinema release or streaming date has been announced. The project is separate from Michael Mann’s new cut of the 2006 Miami Vice film and follows Universal’s earlier announcement of the reboot.