A New Take on 'Miami Vice'? Top Action Director and Noir Specialist Team Up for a Bold Reboot
Miami's most stylish cops may soon hit screens again.
Joseph Kosinski, the director behind Top Gun: Maverick, is reportedly in negotiations to direct a new Miami Vice film for Universal Pictures. The project will feature a script from Dan Gilroy, the acclaimed writer of Nightcrawler, known for his dark, psychological storytelling.
Originally airing from 1984 to 1989, Miami Vice was a landmark TV series about undercover cops fighting crime in the heart of Florida’s most vibrant city. With its moody synth soundtrack, pastel suits, and neon-soaked visuals, the show became a symbol of 1980s cool. Its influence extended far beyond television, shaping fashion, music, and even video games — most notably inspiring the look and feel of GTA: Vice City.
The last big-screen take on Miami Vice came in 2006, when Michael Mann reimagined the ‘80s crime series into a brooding, hyper-realistic action film starring Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell. Though the film underperformed at the box office — earning just $66 million domestically — it has since gained a devoted cult following, with many revisiting and reassessing it as a bold and underrated entry in Mann’s filmography.
It remains unclear whether the new film will be a full reboot or a continuation of the 2006 story. There’s no word yet on whether Foxx and Farrell might return as detectives Tubbs and Crockett, though a comeback seems unlikely given the original's financial reception.
Kosinski, meanwhile, has a busy slate. His upcoming film F1, starring Brad Pitt, is set to hit theaters this summer, and he’s also working on an untitled whistleblower thriller for Apple. His filmography is packed with visually ambitious titles like Oblivion, Tron: Legacy, and Only the Brave, making him a fitting choice to revamp the slick, high-stakes world of Miami Vice.
