Production on the upcoming feature film Miami Vice ’85 experienced a dangerous and disruptive security breach late Friday night in Brooklyn, when a knife-wielding man was arrested after threatening members of the crew. The incident, which quickly drew the attention of law enforcement stationed on-site, highlights the unpredictable challenges often faced by major film productions shooting on location in busy metropolitan areas.
According to information obtained from the New York Police Department by TMZ, the suspect was identified as 23-year-old Alex Perez, an individual who reportedly possesses a prior criminal record. The confrontation unfolded late in the evening as the production was wrapping up its latest round of night shoots in the New York borough.
Footage of the tense encounter, which was subsequently posted to social media, shows Perez being escorted away from the active filming areas by a member of the production staff. As the situation escalated during the escort, Perez pulled a large knife from his sweatshirt pocket, prompting immediate intervention from security personnel and law enforcement officers assigned to protect the set.
A police officer working the security detail quickly moved in to neutralize the threat and placed Perez under arrest at approximately 11:17 PM. According to reports from the scene, Perez continued his hostile behavior while in handcuffs, hurling a racial slur at the production staff member who had initially helped escort him away. Following his apprehension, local authorities formally charged Perez with menacing with a weapon in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.
The security breach occurred during a busy week of filming for Miami Vice ’85, a high-profile cinematic adaptation directed by acclaimed filmmaker Joseph Kosinski. Over the course of the week, the production had been utilizing various New York City locations to capture period-accurate sequences. Among these were scenes featuring stars Michael B. Jordan and John Leguizamo, which eyewitnesses and production notes indicate were designed to faithfully recreate the iconic opening moments of the original groundbreaking television series.
Kosinski’s film draws heavy inspiration from the classic television show’s foundational episodes, specifically pulling creative cues from its famous two-part pilot, titled "Brother’s Keeper," as well as the overall gritty aesthetic and tone of the show’s landmark first season. The project has generated significant buzz among cinephiles and television fans alike, particularly following the release of first-look promotional images showcasing Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler fully in character. In the film, Jordan steps into the role of detective Ricardo Tubbs, while Butler takes on the mantle of Sonny Crockett, bringing a fresh yet reverent dynamic to the legendary undercover duo.
While the production has spent considerable time capturing urban sequences in New York, the schedule is set to shift dramatically in the coming months. Once the regional hurricane season concludes, the entire production will relocate its base of operations to Miami, Florida, to film the sun-drenched, atmospheric coastal scenes that became synonymous with the original 1980s television phenomenon.
Despite the late-night scare involving the armed suspect and the swift intervention of the NYPD, the production schedule for Kosinski’s feature remains intact as filming continues ahead of its newly adjusted release timeline. Fans of the upcoming star-studded adaptation will have to exercise patience, as Miami Vice ’85 is currently slated to open in theaters on May 19, 2028, following a brief scheduling adjustment that pushed its theatrical debut.
