# Why Austin Butler Cannot Drive the Iconic Black Ferrari in Miami Vice '85 Legal disputes over trademarked vehicle designs force production to abandon the original series car. - **Source:** [IGN](https://www.ign.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-08 - **Topic:** [entertainment](https://brifing.si/c/entertainment) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/35275ad3-a335-497d-969e-e6066b22779f ## Production Vehicle Discrepancy Recent set footage from the upcoming Miami Vice '85 film shows Austin Butler and Michael B. Jordan driving a white Ferrari Testarossa. This vehicle choice deviates from the original 1980s television series canon, where Sonny Crockett initially drove a black 1972 Ferrari Daytona Spyder before its dramatic destruction in the third season. ## The Original Legal Conflict The original show utilized a replica Daytona Spyder built on a Corvette C3 chassis because Ferrari North America refused to supply authentic models. Ferrari subsequently launched a legal battle against the production and builder McBurnie Coachcraft, alleging trademark infringement and brand dilution regarding the car's specific shape and iconic profile. ## Settlement Terms and Conditions The legal dispute concluded with a settlement that granted Ferrari broad protections for their brand assets. As part of the agreement, the manufacturer donated two authentic Testarossas to the production team. However, this donation was strictly conditional, requiring the show to destroy the replica Daytona Spyder on national television during broadcast. ## Avoiding Future Litigation Universal appears to be bypassing potential legal headaches by omitting the Daytona Spyder from the new film entirely. By opting for the white Testarossa, the studio avoids repeating the historical conflict with Ferrari, even though this decision technically violates the established narrative timeline of the original Miami Vice television series canon. ## Production Logistics and Locations Filming for the project has been actively occurring across New York and New Jersey. The production team plans to relocate operations to Miami once the local hurricane season concludes. These logistical shifts are essential for capturing the authentic atmosphere required for the film, which is scheduled for a wide theatrical release. ## Theatrical Release Schedule Fans can expect to see the finished film in theaters, including IMAX formats, starting on May 19, 2028. The production aims to balance the nostalgic appeal of the original series with modern cinematic standards, despite the necessary adjustments made to the vehicle lineup to satisfy ongoing intellectual property and trademark requirements. ## Historical Context of Assets In the original series, the detective's vehicles were depicted as seized assets from criminal investigations, loaned by the Miami-Dade Police Department to support undercover operations. This narrative device allowed the show to feature high-end sports cars, creating a visual identity that became synonymous with the aesthetic of the 1980s police drama. ## Strategic Brand Management Ferrari's aggressive protection of its design language highlights the tension between creative freedom in media and corporate intellectual property rights. By forcing the destruction of replicas in the past, the company established a precedent that continues to influence how major studios handle iconic vehicle portrayals in modern film and television productions. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.ign.com/articles/austin-butler-miami-vice-85-black-ferrari-legal-reason — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._