The upcoming crime thriller Miami Vice '85 has added another rising star to its already stacked ensemble. Whitney Peak, known for her roles in Gossip Girl and Hocus Pocus 2, has joined the cast of the Joseph Kosinski-directed film, which is set to hit theaters on May 18, 2028. She will appear alongside previously announced leads Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler, though specific details about her character remain under wraps.
The project marks a bold reinterpretation of the iconic 1980s television series, drawing inspiration directly from its pilot episode. According to the film’s official synopsis, the story will explore "the glamour and corruption of mid-'80s Miami," promising a deep dive into the era's neon-soaked excess and its shadowy underbelly. While the full plot is still being kept tightly under lock and key, the tone suggests a serious dramatic thriller rather than a straightforward action remake, with the creative team aiming to capture the original show’s distinctive atmosphere of style meeting danger.
Jordan is set to portray Detective Ricardo 'Rico' Tubbs, the role famously originated by Philip Michael Thomas on the small screen. Butler, fresh off his critically acclaimed turn in The Bikeriders, will step into the shoes of Detective Sonny Crockett, the character made legendary by Don Johnson. The casting of Alden Ehrenreich in an unspecified role rounds out the principal players, though the studio has yet to confirm whether any additional original characters will be introduced before production begins.
For Kosinski, the project represents a significant departure from his recent blockbuster work. The director, who helmed high-octane spectacles like Top Gun: Maverick and the sci-fi epic Oblivion, is known for his sleek visual style and ability to blend practical effects with digital polish. Those sensibilities could translate well to the sun-drenched, pastel-lit world of 1980s Miami, a setting that has become almost as famous for its aesthetic as for its storytelling. The collaboration between Kosinski and Jordan is particularly intriguing, as the actor has proven his ability to carry both franchise fare and intimate dramas, from Creed to Just Mercy.
Peak’s inclusion adds further depth to the cast, signaling that the film may place considerable weight on its supporting characters. The young actress has been steadily building a reputation for taking on complex roles, and her involvement suggests that the writers are not treating this merely as a buddy-cop narrative. With both Jordan and Butler bringing their own brand of intensity to the leads, the dynamic between Tubbs and Crockett will be scrutinized closely by fans of the original series, who have waited decades for a proper big-screen adaptation that honors the source material’s spirit.
The timeline also raises an interesting question about tone. Being set in 1985, the film will exist in a specific cultural moment, one defined by the rise of the drug trade, the influx of Cuban refugees, and a city teetering between tourist paradise and violent frontier. The original Miami Vice was revolutionary for its time, using music and fashion as storytelling tools while tackling gritty subject matter. Whether Kosinski and his team will lean into those elements or craft a more straightforward procedural narrative remains to be seen, but the combination of the setting and the director’s visual flair suggests a picture that will be as much about mood as it is about plot.
Production schedules have not been announced, but with a 2028 release date already locked in, viewers can expect significant movement on the project in the coming months. For now, the film’s rating stands at zero on TMDb, reflecting its early stage of development, but the pedigree attached to it - from Kosinski’s direction to a cast that includes some of the most in-demand actors working today - positions Miami Vice '85 as one of the most anticipated crime dramas on the horizon.
As the project continues to come together, further casting announcements are likely, and fans of the original series will be watching closely to see how the adaptation balances nostalgia with fresh storytelling. With Peak joining a roster that already boasts considerable talent, the film is shaping up to be a major studio release that could redefine how classic television properties are brought to modern audiences.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter