Police in Brooklyn arrested a man with a knife near the production site of the new Miami Vice ’85’ film on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, as Austin Butler and Michael B. Jordan continue filming their high-octane reboot. The incident occurred in the area of Avenue N and McDonald Avenue, involving Alex Perez, who faces charges of menacing and criminal possession of a weapon. No one was injured, and the knife was recovered by authorities.
Brooklyn Arrest Incident
The arrest unfolded just after 11 p.m. local time, according to the New York City Police Department. Alex Perez, 23, of Brooklyn, was taken into custody after allegedly displaying a knife during a verbal dispute with another man. NBC News reported that Perez was charged with menacing and criminal possession of a weapon. The production, which stars Butler and Jordan in the lead roles, was filming in the vicinity of Washington Cemetery at the time. Authorities confirmed no injuries resulted from the encounter, and the set continued operations following the police presence.
Austin Butler’s Action Transition
Butler, who first gained widespread attention for his dramatic turn as Elvis Presley in 2022, is now stepping into a physically demanding leading role alongside Jordan. The actor has previously appeared in action-oriented projects, including Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, but Miami Vice ’85 represents his most sustained commitment to the genre to date. His casting as Detective James “Sonny” Crockett was confirmed in earlier reports, and he is sharing the screen with Jordan, who returns as Detective Ricardo Tubbs. The two actors are central to the film’s reimagining of the 1984–1989 television series, which originally starred Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas.
‘Miami Vice’ Cast Assembly
The film’s ensemble has grown steadily since initial casting announcements. Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler are joined by Alden Ehrenreich, Whitney Peak, Camila Morrone, Danny Ramirez, John Leguizamo, Andrew Schulz, Walton Goggins, André Holland, Michael Irby, and Haley Lu Richardson. Joseph Kosinski directs the project, which draws its narrative foundation from the NBC series pilot episode “Brother’s Keeper” and the first season of the original series. Dan Gilroy rewrote the first draft script by Eric Warren Singer. The cast also includes Andrew Schulz and Walton Goggins, who were added to the project in recent weeks, along with André Holland and Michael Irby, who portrays Lt. Lou Rodriguez.
Production Timeline Changes
Miami Vice ’85 was originally slated for an August 2027 release, but the schedule has been adjusted. The film is now set to bow in theaters on May 19, 2028. Production is currently underway in the New York area, with additional filming expected in South Florida to accommodate the story’s setting. The shift in release date reflects the ongoing production schedule and the film’s commitment to an IMAX presentation.
Behind the Scenes Leadership
The creative vision for Miami Vice ’85 relies heavily on a team of established industry professionals brought in to guide the production. Joseph Kosinski, known for directing Top Gun: Maverick and Tron: Legacy, is helming the reboot, bringing his expertise in high-concept action cinema to the project. He is working alongside Dan Gilroy, who took on the task of rewriting the initial screenplay penned by Eric Warren Singer.
On the producing side, Dylan Clark is listed as a producer joining forces with Kosinski. Overseeing the project for Universal Pictures are EVP Production Development Sara Scott and Creative Executive of Production Development Christina Hoffrogge. Their involvement ensures that the studio’s resources are aligned with the film’s ambitious scope, particularly regarding its commitment to an IMAX presentation.
The script itself draws its narrative foundation from the original NBC series, specifically utilizing characters created by Yerkovich. The executive producers of the original television run also include Yerkovich and Michael Mann, whose legacy the new film seeks to honor while reimagining the story for a modern theatrical release. This collaboration between old and new talent aims to capture the essence of the 1980s era while integrating contemporary filmmaking techniques.
Filming Location Details
The production of Miami Vice ’85 is utilizing New York City as a primary filming location, with specific scenes shot near significant landmarks. According to production reports, filming took place in the vicinity of Washington Cemetery in Brooklyn, an area chosen to anchor the film’s setting. The choice of location reflects the film’s commitment to capturing the urban atmosphere integral to the Miami Vice narrative. Additional filming is expected to take place in South Florida to fully realize the story’s dual-city dynamic, balancing the metropolitan energy of New York with the coastal aesthetic associated with the franchise’s origins.
Production is currently underway in the New York area, with additional filming expected in South Florida to accommodate the story’s setting. The shift in release date reflects the ongoing production schedule and the film’s commitment to an IMAX presentation.
Development Timeline And Pre-Production
Universal first greenlit the Miami Vice ’85 reboot in the years preceding the current production surge, positioning it as a theatrical reimagining of the iconic 1980s television series. According to industry tracking, the project entered active development with Joseph Kosinski attached to direct, bringing his expertise from Top Gun: Maverick to the helm. Dan Gilroy came on board later to rewrite the initial screenplay, which was originally crafted by Eric Warren Singer. The film’s narrative foundation is explicitly drawn from the NBC series pilot episode “Brother’s Keeper” and the first season of the original series, which ran from 1984 to 1989 and centered on the undercover investigations of detectives James “Sonny” Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs. This development lineage establishes a direct link between the forthcoming film and the source material that defined the franchise, ensuring the reboot respects the legacy while updating the premise for a modern cinematic audience.
Casting announcements have unfolded progressively since the project’s formal announcement, building a ensemble that blends established character actors with rising stars. Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler were confirmed early as the lead duo portraying Ricardo Tubbs and James “Sonny” Crockett, respectively. Subsequent additions expanded the supporting cast to include Alden Ehrenreich, Whitney Peak, Camila Morrone, Danny Ramirez, John Leguizamo, Andrew Schulz, Walton Goggins, André Holland, Michael Irby, and Haley Lu Richardson. The involvement of Dylan Clark as producer alongside Kosinski, combined with the oversight of Universal’s Sara Scott and Christina Hoffrogge, signals a structured production approach. The script credits acknowledge the original series creators, specifically Yerkovich, and the executive producer legacy of Michael Mann, highlighting the collaborative effort to honor the series’ history while delivering a fresh action-oriented narrative for contemporary theaters.
Sources
- Police Arrest Man With Knife Near Set of New ‘Miami Vice ’85’ Movie Starring Austin Butler and Michael B. Jordan
- Teacher injured in Oregon school attack says she had no chance to protect children
- New 'Miami Vice '85' Movie News & Updates: Everything We Know
Photo: Gabriel Hutchinson (CC BY-SA 4.0)
