Miami Vice Reboot Returns to 1980s – But Which Boats Will Feature?

The glow of neon and the roar of speedboats are set to return as a new Miami Vice film moves ahead at Universal Pictures. Austin Butler and Michael B. Jordan will play undercover detectives Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs in Joseph Kosinski’s reboot, scheduled for an August 6, 2027 theatrical release with filming expected later this year.

But for powerboat racing enthusiasts, one question looms larger than casting choices: which boats will feature in the film?

Production Timeline and Period Setting

Director Joseph Kosinski confirmed the film is set specifically in 1985, describing the period aesthetic as “full on.” The production will be shot for IMAX cameras, aiming to capture the vibrant, stylised look that made the original NBC series a cultural phenomenon from 1984 to 1989.

Filming is expected later in 2026, with decisions on marine hardware needing to be finalised well in advance. Sourcing, restoring, or building period-correct boats requires substantial lead time. Transportation, crew training, maritime permits, and insurance all need to be arranged before cameras roll.

Dan Gilroy wrote the latest script draft, working from Eric Warren Singer’s earlier version. Dylan Clark and Kosinski serve as producers. The film explores “the glamour and corruption of mid-1980s Miami,” drawing inspiration from the pilot episode and first season of the landmark television series.

Casting Confirmed

Austin Butler will play James “Sonny” Crockett, the role that made Don Johnson a star. Michael B. Jordan will play Ricardo Tubbs, originally portrayed by Philip Michael Thomas.

Butler’s casting was not straightforward. Universal initially had Glen Powell at the top of their list for the role. Jordan, whose deal was agreed first, pushed the studio toward Butler. Executives, keen to maintain a good creative partnership with Jordan and interested in working with Butler, agreed.

Kosinski had expressed enthusiasm for the eventual pairing:

Michael is someone I’ve admired for a long time, always wanted to work with him. Austin, I think, is proving himself as someone to watch. If it ends up being those two, I’d be very lucky.

The Mann Question

One significant unresolved element is whether Michael Mann, executive producer of the original NBC series and director of the 2006 film adaptation, will have any involvement in Kosinski’s version.

In a December 2025 interview, Kosinski said he had spoken with Mann directly and hoped to bring him aboard:

I talked to Michael Mann two nights ago and told him this very same thing about how important that show was and how it just kind of blew my mind. And so, yeah, I would hope to get Michael involved in some way for sure.

Mann’s availability is complicated by his own schedule. He is preparing Heat 2, with a high-profile cast that includes Christian Bale and Leonardo DiCaprio, and that production is itself expected to begin later in 2026. Whether there is room for meaningful involvement in both projects simultaneously remains to be seen.

From a boat authenticity standpoint, Mann’s potential involvement matters. He oversaw a television series that made marine hardware central to its identity and, whatever the weaknesses of the 2006 film, understood the importance of Miami’s marine culture to the Vice brand.

The Boat Question

The original Miami Vice television series featured an impressive array of high-performance powerboats that became central to the show’s aesthetic. From Wellcraft Scarabs to offshore racing machines, these vessels were not mere props – they represented the era’s obsession with speed, style, and Miami’s unique marine culture.

The 2006 film adaptation, directed by executive producer Michael Mann, featured modern boats that served the story but lacked the period authenticity of the original series. With Kosinski’s reboot explicitly set in 1985, the marine hardware choices become critical to achieving the “full on” period look he has promised.

The Wellcraft Challenge

Wellcraft Scarabs defined the Miami Vice look. The original series featured multiple Scarab models, with the iconic white and turquoise 38-footer becoming synonymous with Crockett and Tubbs’ undercover operations.

However, sourcing authentic 1980s Wellcraft Scarabs in filmable condition presents substantial challenges. These vessels are now 40 years old. Many have been modified, damaged, or destroyed over four decades of use. Finding examples in original condition, or condition close enough to pass as period-correct on IMAX cameras, requires significant effort.

Reader Spotlight: Powerboat News reader Gus Morales owns one of the “Miami Vice Edition” Scarabs. More photos over on Instagram @vicious.miami

Offshore Racing Hardware

Beyond the Scarabs, the original series featured genuine offshore racing boats from the mid-1980s racing scene. Miami was the epicentre of offshore powerboat racing during this period, and the show incorporated authentic racing hardware from manufacturers like Cigarette, Formula, and others.

These vessels carried significant horsepower – often twin or triple outboards producing combined outputs exceeding 1,000 horsepower – and represented the cutting edge of marine performance technology in 1985.

Recreating this authentically requires either locating surviving examples or understanding the period’s technical specifications well enough to build convincing replicas. The difference between authentic 1980s offshore hardware and modern boats will be immediately apparent to knowledgeable viewers, particularly when projected on IMAX screens.

Why This Matters

The marine hardware is not background scenery. Miami Vice was as much about boats as it was about suits and cars. The original series elevated powerboats to cultural icons, influencing boat design, offshore racing aesthetics, and public perception of high-performance marine craft throughout the late 1980s.

A 1985-set reboot that substitutes modern boats – no matter how well styled – risks missing what made the original series resonate with powerboat enthusiasts. The 1980s represented a specific moment in offshore powerboat development, with design language, engine technology, and performance characteristics distinct from today’s craft.

Kosinski’s track record suggests he understands the importance of authentic hardware. Top Gun: Maverick succeeded partly because it featured real F/A-18 Super Hornets, not CGI approximations. His F1 film went to considerable lengths to capture authentic Formula 1 racing.

The question is whether the same commitment to authenticity extends to the marine sequences.

The Production Window

With filming expected later in 2026, decisions on which vessels to feature need to be finalised well in advance. If the production opts for authentic 1980s hardware, the window for locating and preparing these vessels is already closing. If they choose modern substitutes or build replicas, those projects will be underway now.

What the Industry Knows

Production details about marine craft selection remain tightly guarded. Neither Universal Pictures nor Kosinski’s production team have publicly confirmed which boats will appear in the film or whether the production has acquired any specific vessels.

Industry sources suggest the production is aware of the boat question’s significance, but specific acquisition or construction plans have not been disclosed.

Looking Ahead

The marine hardware choices will shape how powerboat enthusiasts receive the film. Get it right – authentic Wellcraft Scarabs, period-correct offshore racing boats, proper technical details – and the reboot gains credibility with viewers who understand this world. Get it wrong, and the film risks looking like every other generic action movie with boats in the background.

Kosinski’s “full on” commitment to the 1985 aesthetic suggests he recognises the importance of period accuracy. Whether that extends to the marine craft remains to be seen.

The August 6, 2027 release date is 18 months away. The answer to which boats will feature in Miami Vice should become clear once filming begins – and the marine sequences start taking shape.