Universal’s Miami Vice ’85 just added another intriguing name to its growing ensemble, with comedian, actor, and podcast star Andrew Schulz joining the film alongside Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler. The casting news gives fresh momentum to one of the most closely watched studio projects in development, especially as anticipation builds around this bold reimagining of a TV classic for the big screen.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski, Miami Vice ’85 is shaping up as a stylish crime drama rooted in the sun-soaked glamour and moral decay of mid-1980s Miami. With IMAX filming, a high-profile cast, and a release date already on the calendar, the movie is clearly being positioned as a major event title in the TV-and-film adaptation space.
Andrew Schulz boards Miami Vice ’85
Schulz’s addition to Miami Vice ’85 marks another notable step in his fast-expanding screen career. While many audiences know him first from stand-up comedy and hit podcasts, his acting résumé has grown steadily with appearances in streaming comedies, studio films, and upcoming franchise fare.
He joins a cast led by Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler, with Whitney Peak, Alden Ehrenreich, Camila Morrone, John Leguizamo, and Danny Ramirez also attached. That lineup signals a deliberate blend of marquee star power, younger breakout talent, and seasoned supporting players.
Although details about Schulz’s role have not been disclosed, his presence adds an unpredictable edge. He has shown a knack for mixing charisma, bravado, and comic timing, traits that could fit naturally into the flashy but dangerous world of Miami Vice ’85.
What Miami Vice ’85 is about
The new film is described as an all-new take on Miami Vice ’85, inspired by the pilot episode of the influential NBC series that originally ran from 1984 to 1990. Rather than serving as a simple remake, the project appears designed to revisit the core DNA of the property: neon-lit style, undercover policing, organized crime, excess, and corruption.
According to the source material, the story will explore:
- The glamour of 1980s Miami
- The criminal underworld beneath the city’s polished image
- The tension between image, ambition, and corruption
- A modern cinematic reinterpretation of the original TV concept
That framing suggests Miami Vice ’85 could lean into both nostalgia and reinvention, appealing to longtime fans of the original and newer audiences drawn to prestige action cinema.
The creative team behind the film
A major reason Miami Vice ’85 is generating industry attention is the strength of the creative team. Joseph Kosinski, known for large-scale, visually immersive filmmaking, is directing the project. His involvement hints at sleek action, high-end production design, and a cinematic scope built for premium screens.
The screenplay comes from Dan Gilroy, a writer with a strong reputation for sharp, morally complex storytelling. An earlier draft was written by Eric Warren Singer, while the film is based on characters created by Anthony Yerkovich from the original series, which he executive produced with Michael Mann.
Production is being handled by Dylan Clark Productions and Kosinski, with studio oversight from Universal’s production development team. The movie is set to begin production this year and is scheduled for release on May 19, 2028.
Why the IMAX angle matters
The announcement that Miami Vice ’85 will be filmed for IMAX is especially notable. That choice suggests the movie is not just aiming for retro cool, but for a large-format visual experience. Expect sweeping cityscapes, kinetic action sequences, vivid night photography, and an emphasis on atmosphere as much as plot.
For a story set amid speedboats, nightlife, luxury, and danger, IMAX could be a strong fit.
Andrew Schulz’s breakout acting run
Schulz has been building impressive momentum beyond comedy. His recent and upcoming projects show a performer making a serious push into screen acting while maintaining his massive fan base in stand-up and digital media.
His recent credits include:
- Tires on Netflix
- Underdoggs with Snoop Dogg
- The Thicket with Peter Dinklage
- You People with Eddie Murphy and Jonah Hill
- White Men Can’t Jump with Jack Harlow
- The upcoming live-action Street Fighter
He also recently wrapped production on Apple’s sports film Running. Taken together, these projects show that his casting in Miami Vice ’85 is not a novelty move. It reflects a broader industry trend of seeing Schulz as a viable crossover performer with range and audience pull.
From arenas to film sets
Schulz’s profile has grown far beyond traditional comedy clubs. His sold-out global Life Tour included major arena stops in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, and dozens of cities across multiple continents. His Netflix special Life, filmed at the Beacon Theatre, further expanded his reach.
He also co-hosts Flagrant, a hugely popular podcast with more than 1.5 billion YouTube views, and Brilliant Idiots with Charlamagne Tha God. That kind of cross-platform visibility gives Miami Vice ’85 an added promotional edge among younger, digitally native audiences.
Why this casting matters for TV and film fans
Miami Vice ’85 sits at the intersection of several entertainment trends: prestige TV adaptation, 1980s revival aesthetics, star-driven studio filmmaking, and the rise of multi-hyphenate talent. Schulz joining the cast matters because it widens the film’s appeal while underscoring how the project is assembling a varied, modern ensemble.
For fans of classic television properties, the key question will be whether the movie captures the mood and cultural impact of the original without feeling trapped by imitation. For moviegoers, the bigger draw may be the combination of Jordan, Butler, Kosinski, and a world built for theatrical spectacle.
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Conclusion
With Andrew Schulz now part of the lineup, Miami Vice ’85 continues to look like one of the most compelling adaptation projects on Universal’s slate. Between Joseph Kosinski’s direction, Dan Gilroy’s screenplay, an IMAX presentation, and a cast led by Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler, the film has all the ingredients of a high-style crime epic. If it can balance nostalgia with a fresh point of view, Miami Vice ’85 could become a standout big-screen revival rather than just another remake.
