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2026 marks the 20th anniversary of ‘Miami Vice’, the big screen adaptation of the classic ’80s TV show directed by Michael Mann and starring Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx as Sonny Crocket and Ricardo Tubbs, respectively.
“You can’t stop them.”
release September 16, 1984
Although the film was not a success when it was released, it gained a huge following and is now more popular than ever. In fact, ‘Vice Fever’ is back with ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ director Joseph Kosinski currently filming a new adaptation of the TV series called ‘Miami Vice ’85’ starring Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler.
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of ‘Miami Vice,’ Moviefone has put together a list of five fun facts about the now cult classic.
“There are no laws, there are no rules, there is no order.”
release July 28, 2006run-time 2 hours 12 minutesbudget $135M
Let’s get started!
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1. The film adaptation of the TV show was Jamie Foxx’s idea.
Foxx first worked with director Michael Mann, who created the original ‘Miami Vice’ series, on the biopic ‘Ali’, starring Will Smith. At the wrap party for ‘Ali’, Foxx pitched the idea of making a ‘Miami Vice’ movie to Mann. Foxx starred opposite Tom Cruise in Mann’s ‘Pawn’ and won an Oscar for ‘Ray’ before Mann eventually cast him as Ricardo Tubbs in the film.
2. The movie intentionally looks different from the TV series
The original series was known for its pastel suits, bright colors, and glossy 1980s style. However, Mann wanted to go in a different direction for his 2006 film, emphasizing undercover work, danger, dark lighting, and a more realistic criminal underworld. He described his approach as making ‘Miami Vice’ feel real in the modern world, rather than simply recreating the nostalgia of the series.
3. Michael Mann pioneered digital filmmaking with ‘Miami Vice.’
Mann shot most of the film using high-definition digital cameras, primarily a Thomson Viper FilmStream. Rather than making digital footage look like traditional film, he embraced its ability to capture Miami’s nighttime atmosphere – distant city lights, storm clouds, and street lights. The demanding production pushed the limits of technology and gave the film a unique and unique look.
4. Colin Farrell thought he was participating in a real drug bust.
One of the most bizarre stories associated with the film involves Farrell’s involvement in a real-life undercover operation. At the very least, Farrell was led to believe he was witnessing an actual stabbing, with guns drawn and the officers’ identities questioned. He reportedly feared for his safety before learning that Mann had planned the surgery as part of his training.
5. Actor Gong Li learned the lines from ‘Miami Vice’ phonetically.
Gong Li was already one of China’s most acclaimed actresses, but she faced a unique challenge when she played Cuban-Chinese drug trafficker Isabella in ‘Miami Vice.’ Li learned much of the English dialogue phonetically and spent several months with a language coach to master the character’s Cuban-accented English. According to director Michael Mann, Li practiced for hours every day to get the pronunciation correct.
What is the plot of 2006’s ‘Miami Vice’?
The story of drug lords and murders in South Florida takes a personal turn for undercover detectives Sonny Crockett (Colin Farrell) and Ricardo Tubbs (Jamie Foxx). Unorthodox Crockett becomes romantically involved with the Chinese-Cuban wife (Gong Li) of an arms and drug trafficker (Luis Tosar), while Tubbs deals with attacks on those he loves.
Who is in the cast of ‘Miami Vice’ in 2006?
- Colin Farrell as Det. James “Sonny” Crockett
- Jamie Foxx (Det.) Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs
- Gong Li as Isabella
- Naomi Harris Det. Trudy Joplin
- Ciaran Hinds as FBI Agent John Fujima
- Elizabeth Rodriguez Det. Gina Calabrese
- Domenick Lombardozzi as Det. Stan Switek
- Justin Theroux Det. Larry Zito
- Barry Shabaka Henley and Lt. Cmdr. martin castle
- Luis Tosar as the Archangel of Jesus Montoya
- John Ortiz as Jose Yero
- John Hawkes as Alonzo Stevens
- Eddie Marsan as Nicholas
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