Austin Butler has officially secured the lead role of Sonny in the upcoming Miami Vice movie, outshining Top Gun: Maverick star Glen Powell, who was initially the top candidate for the character. This change came to light nearly a week after Butler’s casting was confirmed, highlighting the competitive nature of the selection process for this highly anticipated project.
According to reports, Butler was already on Universal Pictures’ radar for the role of James “Sonny” Crockett, a part originally made famous by Don Johnson in the classic 1980s television series. While Powell was considered the frontrunner, it was Butler’s proactive approach that ultimately won him the role. He took the initiative to pitch himself directly to co-star Michael B. Jordan, expressing why he would embody the character of Sonny perfectly alongside Jordan’s Rico Tubbs.
Jordan was reportedly convinced by Butler’s pitch, subsequently advocating for him to the studio. This decision was welcomed by Universal executives, who are eager to build a strong creative partnership with Jordan and are equally excited by the prospect of collaborating with Butler.
The Miami Vice reboot, directed by Joseph Kosinski and featuring a screenplay by Emmy-winning writer Dan Gilroy, is set to begin production in 2026 and aims for a theatrical release on August 6, 2027. The original Miami Vice series, created by Anthony Yerkovich and executive produced by Michael Mann, aired for five successful seasons from 1984 to 1989, focusing on two undercover detectives in Miami. Prior to this reboot, Universal had attempted to revive the series with a 2006 film starring Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell.
Butler’s casting not only marks a significant milestone in his career following his Oscar-nominated performance in Elvis but also supports the ongoing trend of revisiting beloved classic series for modern adaptations. Fans of the original Miami Vice have much to look forward to as new talents like Butler bring fresh interpretations to iconic characters.