The Real Reason Austin Butler Snagged the Miami Vice Lead Over Glen Powell
Nearly a week after Austin Butler’s Miami Vice casting went official, a new report reveals how the Elvis star edged out Top Gun: Maverick standout Glen Powell to play Sonny.
Austin Butler did not wait for the phone to ring. About a week after his Miami Vice casting was made official, a new report lays out how he edged past Glen Powell for Sonny Crockett, and it sounds like old-school hustle.
Per The InSneider, Universal started out with Powell at the top of its list to co-star with Michael B. Jordan in the reboot. Butler was on that list too, just not in the top spot. Then Butler went straight to Jordan and made his case face-to-face.
He pitched why he would be the perfect Sonny to Jordan's Rico Tubbs.
According to the report, Jordan bought in and took Butler's name back to the studio. From there, it was not exactly an uphill battle. Universal is looking to keep building a strong creative relationship with Jordan, and the execs were also enthusiastic about the chance to work with Butler. Decision made.
- Leads: Austin Butler as James 'Sonny' Crockett (the role Don Johnson made iconic on TV); Michael B. Jordan as Ricardo 'Rico' Tubbs
- How we got here: Universal initially eyed Top Gun: Maverick and Twisters star Glen Powell for Sonny; Butler (Elvis, Dune: Part II) won the part after personally pitching Jordan, who then pushed the studio
- Director: Joseph Kosinski
- Screenplay: Dan Gilroy (Emmy winner), working from an earlier draft by Eric Warren Singer
- Producers: Joseph Kosinski and Dylan Clark
- Studio: Universal Pictures
- Timing: Production is expected to kick off in 2026
- Release date: August 6, 2027 (theatrical)
- Backstory: The original Miami Vice was created by Anthony Yerkovich with Michael Mann as executive producer, aired on NBC from 1984 to 1989 across five seasons, and followed two Metro-Dade Police Department detectives working undercover in Miami
- Last time on the big screen: Universal’s 2006 movie starred Jamie Foxx as Rico and Colin Farrell as Sonny
So, yes, the part came down to two very in-demand guys, and Butler won it by making the ask to the guy he would be playing opposite. Simple move. Smart move.