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This week's originally-slated La Floridiana column, "The Tropical Deco of Miami Beach-Part II" is being postponed until next week's edition in order to bring you the following news flash.

I'm as happy as a (South Florida) clam over the latest news from Tinsel Town! Universal Studios has asked movie producer extraordinaire Michael Mann to script, produce, and possibly direct a "Miami Vice" movie for the big screen! The movie is based on the NBC series "Miami Vice" which ran from 1984 to 1989. It starred Don Johnson as veteran Miami vice detective "Sonny Crockett" and Phillip Michael Thomas as relocated Bronx armed robbery detective "Ricardo Tubbs". Michael Mann, who originally produced this groundbreaking series its first two seasons, captured the essence of the art, architecture and sociology of Miami and the South Beach like no other could or has since. The new movie will take place in present-day Miami and there are no plans for any "retro"-fitting the movie with '80s ambience.

"Miami Vice" Sans Don Johnson and Phillip Michael Thomas
Mann has made it clear that he intends to have a totally new cast for the "Vice" big screen movie. Former "Vice" actors Don Johnson and Phillip Michael Thomas will not be involved with this most recent production. A release date has not yet been forthcoming from either Mann or Universal Studios. I have just about total faith that Mann, who also produced the movies "Manhunter" and "Last of the Mohicans" will do a superb job with this newest "Vice" incarnation.

The Case Against Johnson and Thomas in the Big Screen Version
Reason #1--Age. Don't misunderstand what I'm about to say. I think that Don Johnson and Phillip Michael Thomas are both fine actors, and were a first class act that largely put "Vice" on the map. But the reality of the situation is that both actors are now too old to believably fulfill the role of playing undercover detectives immersed in what was in the 80's, and still is in this decade, largely a youth culture problem.
Reason #2-- Series Continuity The final episode of "Vice" in 1989 had Crockett and Tubbs both resign from the force. After years of being subjected to the rigors of their jobs, both detectives were burned out, disillusioned and disappointed in a system that was too rife with corruption and injustice. The viewer was left with the distinct impression that Crockett was ready to pack it all in and live out the remainder of his days sippin' on pina coladas or marqueritas while runnin' a charter boat out of the Ten Thousand Islands or Marathon. Tubbs on the other hand was intent to return to his homeland back in the Bronx-possibly to return as a cop, but definitely getting out of Dodge and taking the first plane out of Miami to the Big Apple.

Hope for the New Movie
There are several wishes that I have for the ultimate scripting for this movie. One is that the roles of Crockett and Tubbs are not brought back. It is not 1984 any more--Ronald Reagan is no longer the President and "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper is no longer a Top Ten Hit Song. Hopefully, since the movie will revolve around present-day Miami with present-day players, problems and fashions, a past tense reference to "Crockett" and "Tubbs" (i.e. "We had a case like this back in the 80's when these two guys named Tubbs and Crockett were on the force") would be nice, but the present day players should be young blood and fresh faces in their 20s and 30s. Bringing on original series actors such as Edward James Olmos to play a Police Chief Martin Castillo, or Saundra Santiago to play a Commander Gina Callabrese shouldn't necessarily be ruled out, however.

Another wish is that Mann focus on what was the truest star of the series was--MIAMI! As I have often stated, this is both the most spectacular city in the state of Florida, and truly a world-class international city with incredible architecture, natural features, and sociology. Mann captured these elements so well in the "Vice" IV series, and must do so in this latest venture as well if it is to be a quality production. Miami's tropical allure has remained static, but this metropolis is a dynamic, robust, ever-changing city. Its vices were run largely by organized crime figures such as Meyer Lansky from the 20s through the 60s. In the 70s and 80s, international drug cartels became the new kings of Miami's underworld. The cocaine cowboys of that era have undoubtedly had their prominence eroded by younger purveyors of more popular current day illicit drugs such as Ecstacy.

Lastly, although the interspersing of music will undoubtedly move the plot along, having the "MTV Cops" music video approach to the production of "Miami Vice", (as originally perceived by the NBC brass back in 1983 and '84) may also fall flat on today's movie audience. Utilizing the evocative scores of original "Vice" musician Jan Hammer for musical backdrops, as well as some current and a few older song tracks, may be to the movie's best advantage, however.

There's a lot of ammunition that modern day Miami can afford Michael Mann in this too long in coming big screen version of one of television's finest detective series. Hopefully, I can relay to you any updates on the development of this movie as they become available.