John Leguizamo has reportedly been cast as the main villain in Universal's upcoming film,
Miami Vice '85.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Leguizamo will portray a cartel boss in the period piece, which Universal states will "explore the glamour and corruption of mid-'80s Miami."
This casting marks a return to the franchise for Leguizamo, who made his television debut on an episode of the original
Miami Vice
series in 1986. The new film, directed by Joseph Kosinski, draws inspiration from the series' pilot and first season, which prominently featured Colombian cartel lord Esteban Calderone as a recurring antagonist.
Leguizamo himself previously appeared on
Miami Vice
as Esteban Calderone's son, Orlando Calderone, in two episodes during the show's second and third seasons. He also played a different drug dealer character in a fifth-season episode. The hunt for the Calderone family was a significant storyline in the original series' first season, suggesting a potential narrative focus for Kosinski's film.
Reflecting on his early career, Leguizamo recalled in a 2016 interview that he was initially dismissive of the show, describing himself as a "theater snob" who looked down on television acting. In his 2014 TV special,
Ghetto Klown
, Leguizamo referred to
Miami Vice
as "the Latin exploitation series of the '80s" and criticized the stereotypical roles often offered to Latino actors in Hollywood during that era.
Miami Vice '85 is scheduled for an IMAX release on May 19, 2028, with filming set to begin soon. The film's ensemble cast includes Michael B. Jordan, Austin Butler, Alden Ehrenreich, Whitney Peak, Camila Morrone, and Danny Ramirez. Dylan Clark and Joseph Kosinski are producing, with Dan Gilroy and Eric Singer credited as writers.
Elsewhere,
Miami Vice
director Michael Mann is set to premiere his recently revealed
Miami Vice: Director’s Final Cut
of his 2006 remake at Beyond Fest next month.