Edi Gathegi, who recently captivated audiences and won critical acclaim for his scene-stealing portrayal of the superhero Mr. Terrific in James Gunn’s blockbuster Superman, has officially joined the rapidly expanding, high-profile ensemble of Miami Vice ’85. The upcoming feature film serves as Universal Pictures’ ambitious, high-budget big-screen reinvention of the iconic, genre-defining 1980s television series. Gathegi’s casting adds another layer of formidable acting talent to a project that has quickly become one of the most anticipated and star-studded motion picture endeavors currently in development within Hollywood.
The addition of Gathegi places him on an illustrious call sheet that already boasts an impressive array of prominent actors. The production features Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler in the iconic lead roles of undercover detectives Ricardo Tubbs and James Crockett, respectively. Alongside them, the ensemble cast includes Alden Ehrenreich, Whitney Peak, Camila Morrone, Danny Ramirez, John Leguizamo, and Andrew Schulz. With such a robust collection of contemporary cinematic talent, Universal Pictures is clearly signaling its intent to deliver a culturally significant and commercially massive event film.
At the helm of this major studio undertaking is Joseph Kosinski, a filmmaker renowned for his ability to merge visceral, high-velocity action with sleek, visually striking cinematography. Kosinski previously directed the propulsive, record-shattering box office juggernaut Top Gun: Maverick, as well as the upcoming racing drama F1. His involvement ensures that the new cinematic iteration of Miami Vice will lean heavily into immersive practical action sequences, precise framing, and a modern aesthetic sensibility that honors the atmospheric mood of the original source material while charting entirely new cinematic territory.
Production on Miami Vice ’85 is officially scheduled to commence this coming November, with principal photography slated to take place across two major cultural hubs: New York City and Miami. By capturing the authentic textures and architectural contrasts of these locations, the production aims to ground its heightened narrative in a tangible, visually stunning environment. Furthermore, Universal Pictures has confirmed that the film will be specifically shot for IMAX, a format choice that underscores Kosinski’s commitment to delivering a grand-scale visual spectacle designed to maximize the theatrical viewing experience. The studio has set a wide theatrical release date for May 19, 2028.
Revisiting the Roots: Background and Historical Context of the Franchise
To understand the creative direction of Miami Vice ’85, one must examine the monumental cultural footprint left by the original television series. Created by Anthony Yerkovich and executive produced by Michael Mann, the landmark NBC television series debuted in 1984 and ran for five seasons until 1989. The show famously starred Don Johnson as Detective James "Sonny" Crockett and Philip Michael Thomas as Detective Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs. These characters were undercover Metro-Dade Police Department detectives navigating the treacherous, neon-drenched underbelly of South Florida’s illicit drug trade.
The original series was revolutionary for its time, fundamentally changing the visual and aural landscape of television. It famously integrated popular music—most notably using Phil Collins’ "In the Air Tonight" in its historic pilot episode—alongside high-end fashion, pastel suits, loafers worn without socks, and a sleek, cinematic use of color and lighting that had never before been attempted on a weekly television schedule. It defined an era’s aesthetic and turned Miami into a global cultural destination synonymous with tropical modernism and dangerous glamour.
While Michael Mann previously directed a high-profile, gritty 2006 feature film adaptation starring Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx, this new iteration approaches the property from a distinct historical angle. According to production details, Miami Vice ’85 is directly inspired by the pilot episode of the landmark television series, focusing on the specific atmospheric tension, glamour, and systemic corruption of mid-1980s Miami. Rather than modernizing the narrative to contemporary times, the filmmakers are leaning into a period piece approach, re-envisioning the mid-decade aesthetic through a modern cinematic lens.
Character Details and Narrative Framework
Within this meticulously crafted period setting, the narrative will follow the swagger-strutting partnership of Crockett and Tubbs as they infiltrate the highest levels of organized crime. Michael B. Jordan’s portrayal of Ricardo Tubbs and Austin Butler’s interpretation of James Crockett will anchor the emotional and dynamic core of the film, exploring the psychological toll and adrenaline-fueled highs of deep-cover police work.
Edi Gathegi has secured a crucial, pivotal role within this sprawling ensemble. According to sources close to the production, Gathegi will portray a small-time crook harboring outsized, dangerous ambitions who ultimately finds himself catastrophically in over his head. This character arc provides an essential narrative bridge within the criminal underworld, offering Gathegi the opportunity to deliver another memorable, nuanced performance characterized by the sharp timing and grounded intensity that have become hallmarks of his career.
Gathegi’s career trajectory has been defined by a series of critically lauded performances across film, television, and high-profile franchise filmmaking. He recently won widespread praise from both fans and critics for his cool-under-pressure, droll-natured embodiment of Mr. Terrific, the enduring DC Comics superhero, in James Gunn’s Superman. His ability to project intellectual confidence combined with physical readiness made him an immediate standout in a crowded superhero landscape. Gathegi is slated to reprise this celebrated role in the upcoming sequel, Man of Tomorrow.
A Versatile Film and Television Resume
Beyond his recent superhero ventures, Gathegi boasts a diverse and distinguished filmography that spans major studio blockbusters, acclaimed television dramas, and prestige independent cinema. His feature credits include his memorable work in Jeymes Samuel’s revisionist Western The Harder They Fall for Netflix, where he starred alongside an all-star cast featuring Idris Elba, Regina King, and Delroy Lindo. He has also left his mark on major intellectual properties such as X-Men: First Class and the global phenomenon of the Twilight saga.
On the television front, Gathegi has proven his ability to anchor serialized narratives, most notably as a key series regular in Apple TV+’s critically acclaimed, award-winning space-race drama series For All Mankind. His capacity to transition seamlessly between high-concept genre pieces and grounded dramatic storytelling has positioned him as one of the most reliable and sought-after character actors working in the industry today. Gathegi is represented by talent agency IAG and legal firm Yorn Levine.
Production Infrastructure and Industry Implications
The behind-the-scenes configuration of Miami Vice ’85 reflects a formidable partnership between visionary talent and established production infrastructure. The film is being produced by Dylan Clark via his banner Dylan Clark Productions—recognized for massive, critically praised studio successes such as The Batman—alongside director Joseph Kosinski. This production team brings a proven track record of handling massive budgets, complex world-building, and high-stakes intellectual property management without sacrificing narrative depth or stylistic integrity.
The strategic decision by Universal Pictures to release the film on May 19, 2028, signals absolute confidence in the project’s commercial viability. By staking out a prime summer release window, the studio is positioning Miami Vice ’85 as a major tentpole event designed to appeal to both nostalgic older demographics and younger audiences drawn to the star power of Jordan, Butler, and the rest of the ensemble. Furthermore, the commitment to filming for IMAX emphasizes that the studio views the property not merely as a standard franchise reboot, but as a premier cinematic event that demands the largest, most immersive presentation possible.
As pre-production ramps up ahead of the November production start date in New York and Miami, industry analysts are closely monitoring the development of Miami Vice ’85. The project represents a growing Hollywood trend: taking classic television properties and treating them with the directorial prestige and budget allocation typically reserved for original cinematic masterpieces. With Joseph Kosinski guiding the visual aesthetic, a script rooted in the iconic pilot’s atmosphere, and an acting roster featuring some of the most dynamic talents of their generation, Miami Vice ’85 is shaping up to be a defining cinematic release of the decade.
