Knife threat disrupts Miami Vice '85 filming in Brooklyn, police say

A night shoot for Miami Vice '85 in Brooklyn was interrupted by a frightening scene. According to Deadline, a crew member was menaced with a butcher knife during the Friday night shoot.

Police made an arrest, and no one was hurt. Officers took the suspect into custody and recovered the knife, and nobody was injured, Deadline said.

Key facts

• Police arrested Alex Perez, 23, of Brooklyn at about 11:15 p.m., an NYPD spokesperson said.
• He was charged with menacing and criminal possession of a weapon.
• The NYPD told Variety the incident took place on the film set, near Washington Cemetery.
• The knife was recovered and no one was injured.
• Deadline said it had asked Universal for comment.

What police say happened

Officers were called to the area of Avenue N and McDonald Avenue, Deadline reported. The NYPD confirmed to Variety that the incident happened on the film set near Washington Cemetery.

Police were told by a crew member that Perez drew the blade after the two argued, Deadline reported. Police said the crew member described the encounter as "causing him to become fearful for his safety".

An NYPD spokesperson said Perez was arrested at around 11:15 p.m.. Variety put the time at around 11 p.m., so reports differ slightly.

Perez faces charges of menacing and criminal possession of a weapon. The charges are accusations, and he has not been convicted. It is not known whether he has entered a plea or has a lawyer. What the verbal dispute was about is also not known.

More details from police

NBC News reported that the crew was shooting along Bay Parkway and McDonald Avenue at the time of the arrest.

An NYPD spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter that a 42-year-old man said he had a verbal dispute with the person who showed the knife.

About the film

The shoot got underway this month in the New Jersey and New York City area, Deadline said.

Universal's film is directed by Joseph Kosinski, working from a screenplay by Dan Gilroy and Eric Warren Singer. Michael B. Jordan plays Ricardo Tubbs, and Austin Butler plays Sonny Crockett.

The cast also includes Alden Ehrenreich, Whitney Peak, Camila Morrone, John Leguizamo, Walton Goggins and Haley Lu Richardson, according to Deadline.

The project has a famous source. The original 1980s NBC crime drama starred Don Johnson as Crockett and Philip Michael Thomas as Tubbs, The Hollywood Reporter said.

Universal Pictures released first-look images of Butler as Crockett and Jordan as Tubbs earlier this month, and Jordan was seen filming in New York on Friday, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

What happens next

Earlier this month, Universal Pictures shared first-look images of Butler and Jordan in their roles, and Jordan was seen filming in New York on Friday, The Hollywood Reporter said.

A firm release date has not been confirmed by the studio, and published reports disagree, so it is not given here.

Deadline said it contacted Universal seeking comment. Whether Universal has commented, or whether filming was delayed, is not known.

FAQ

What happened on the set? Police say a man threatened a crew member with a butcher knife after a verbal dispute.

Was anyone hurt? No injuries were reported.

Who was arrested? Alex Perez, 23, of Brooklyn.

What is he charged with? Menacing and criminal possession of a weapon.

Who stars in the film? Michael B. Jordan plays Ricardo Tubbs, and Austin Butler plays Sonny Crockett.

Where did the incident happen? Police were called to the area of Avenue N and McDonald Avenue in Brooklyn.

Who starred in the original series? Don Johnson played Crockett and Philip Michael Thomas played Tubbs in the 1980s NBC drama.

Who reported the dispute to police? A 42-year-old man told police he had a verbal dispute with the person who showed the knife, an NYPD spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter.