John Leguizamo attending a red carpet movie premiere
Awards & Red Carpet

John Leguizamo Cast as the Main Villain in Joseph Kosinski’s 'Miami Vice '85'

The veteran actor joins Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler in Universal's big-screen reboot of the iconic '80s cop series.

By Nina BrooksPublished Updated 2 min read

John Leguizamo is officially heading to South Florida to stir up major trouble. The acclaimed actor has signed on to play the primary villain in *Miami Vice '85*, director Joseph Kosinski's upcoming feature film revival of the iconic 1980s television crime series. Universal Pictures is producing the action blockbuster, which promises to re-energize the legendary pop-culture franchise with a sleek, big-screen presentation. Leguizamo’s villainous casting comes during a major moment in his career, as the veteran star continues to draw strong awards chatter for his dramatic performance in *The Odyssey*. In *Miami Vice '85*, his formidable antagonist will face off directly against lead stars Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler, who are stepping into the famous suits of undercover detectives Rico Tubbs and Sonny Crockett.

Who is starring in Miami Vice 85?

The highly anticipated film features a deeply impressive ensemble cast surrounding its core lead duo and primary villain. Reports confirm that Alden Ehrenreich, Whitney Peak, Camila Morrone, and Danny Ramirez have all joined the production in featured roles. This powerhouse lineup blends seasoned Hollywood talent with fast-rising stars to bring dynamic new energy to the long-running property. Behind the scenes, the revival relies on proven creative heavyweights to bring the story to life. Oscar-nominated writer Dan Gilroy, best known for his work on *Nightcrawler*, penned the screenplay. His script builds upon a previous draft written by Eric Warren Singer, utilizing the characters originally created by Anthony Yerkovich for the original 1984 television series.

What is the plot of Miami Vice 85?

The new feature takes direct inspiration from the classic 1984 pilot episode that first introduced television audiences to the iconic vice duo. The plot follows Crockett and Tubbs during the early days of their law enforcement partnership as they infiltrate the treacherous underworld of Miami Beach to take down dangerous crime lords. Yerkovich created the original television series and executive produced the show alongside legendary director Michael Mann, establishing the retro neon aesthetic and gritty style that defined an era. With Kosinski directing the modern adaptation and Leguizamo now officially locked in as the central antagonist, the upcoming reboot is shaping up to be one of the biggest action events on the release calendar.

The backstory

Verified moments, in order.

John Leguizamo: From Benny Blanco to a Casting Fight

The Bogotá-born, Queens-raised actor builds his career across crime films, drag comedy, animation and solo theatre — then uses his platform to challenge Hollywood’s treatment of Latino performers.

  1. One actor, a stage full of characters

    John Leguizamo — One actor, a stage full of characters

    Leguizamo’s solo show Mambo Mouth opens off-Broadway and wins him an Obie Award. Drawing on Latino life through multiple characters, it establishes the writer-performer behind the screen roles.

  2. Luigi meets Benny Blanco

    John Leguizamo — Luigi meets Benny Blanco

    He plays Luigi opposite Bob Hoskins in Super Mario Bros. and the ambitious gangster Benny Blanco opposite Al Pacino in Carlito’s Way. The two films put his comic timing and capacity for menace on the same year’s calling card.

  3. Chi-Chi brings awards attention

    John Leguizamo — Chi-Chi brings awards attention

    Leguizamo joins Patrick Swayze and Wesley Snipes as drag queens crossing America in To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. His performance as Chi-Chi Rodriguez earns a supporting-actor Golden Globe nomination for the 1996 awards.

  4. Family material wins an Emmy

    John Leguizamo — Family material wins an Emmy

    Leguizamo wins an Emmy for his performance in the television version of Freak, his autobiographical solo show. Directed for television by Spike Lee and broadcast in 1998, it turns childhood, family conflict and identity into a showcase for his own writing.

  5. Sid opens another lane

    John Leguizamo — Sid opens another lane

    He voices Sid the sloth in Ice Age, beginning a recurring role across the animated film franchise. The part brings his voice to a family audience alongside his live-action and stage work.

  6. Broadway honours the storyteller

    John Leguizamo — Broadway honours the storyteller

    Latin History for Morons, his solo examination of Latino contributions to American history, earns a Tony nomination for best play. Leguizamo also receives a Special Tony Award recognising his body of work and commitment to theatre.

  7. 2022-08Flashpoint

    The Castro casting fight

    John Leguizamo — The Castro casting fight

    Leguizamo publicly objects to James Franco’s casting as Fidel Castro in the announced film Alina of Cuba. He calls for a boycott and argues that Hollywood keeps excluding Latino actors from Latino stories, making casting access the centre of a public dispute.

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People also ask

Who is playing the villain in the Miami Vice '85 movie?
John Leguizamo has been cast as the main antagonist in the upcoming feature film reboot.
Who stars as Crockett and Tubbs in Miami Vice '85?
Austin Butler stars as Sonny Crockett alongside Michael B. Jordan as Rico Tubbs.
Who is writing and directing Miami Vice '85?
Joseph Kosinski is directing the film, with a screenplay written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Dan Gilroy.