A night of filming for Michael B. Jordan’s upcoming movie took a frightening turn when a man allegedly pulled out a large butcher knife and threatened a crew member, prompting an emergency police response on a Brooklyn street.
The incident unfolded Friday, October 23, near the set of “Miami Vice ’85,” the highly anticipated crime drama starring Jordan and Austin Butler.
According to the New York Police Department, 23-year-old Alex Perez became involved in a confrontation with a man working near the production shortly after 11 p.m.
What began as a verbal dispute allegedly escalated when Perez displayed a knife, leaving the crew member fearing for his safety.
The confrontation was captured on video, with footage showing a production worker attempting to escort a man away from the filming area before the individual suddenly reaches beneath his sweatshirt and pulls out what appears to be a large knife.
Police were called as the situation escalated, and an officer took Perez into custody at approximately 11:17 p.m.
Fortunately, no one was injured.
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“The individual was then taken into custody without incident, and the knife was recovered,” the NYPD confirmed in a statement.
The confrontation occurred near Bay Parkway and McDonald Avenue, close to Washington Cemetery, where crews were filming scenes for the upcoming movie.
According to TMZ, Perez had allegedly been running through the production area and disrupting filming before the confrontation with the crew member.
Video obtained by the outlet also reportedly shows Perez shouting a racial slur at a production worker while being escorted away in handcuffs.
Authorities have not publicly explained what triggered the initial disagreement or whether Perez knew anyone involved with the production.
Perez was charged with second-degree menacing and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
Police have not announced any additional charges, and it remains unclear whether he has entered a plea.
The incident has drawn considerable attention because it happened during filming for one of Hollywood’s most anticipated upcoming action-crime movies.
“Miami Vice ’85” stars Michael B. Jordan as undercover detective Ricardo Tubbs, while Austin Butler portrays his partner, James “Sonny” Crockett.
The roles were originally made famous by Philip Michael Thomas and Don Johnson in NBC’s hit television series “Miami Vice,” which aired from 1984 to 1989.
The original show became a cultural phenomenon, known for its stylish clothing, fast cars, popular music and dramatic stories about undercover detectives battling Miami’s drug trade.
The upcoming movie takes audiences back to the 1980s rather than bringing the characters into the present day.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski, whose previous credits include “Top Gun: Maverick” and “F1,” the film is expected to recreate the atmosphere of the original series while introducing the characters to a new generation.
The production also features actors including Danny Ramirez, Dominic Sessa and Walton Goggins.
Filming has been taking place at locations across New York and New Jersey, with the movie scheduled for release in May 2028.
Friday’s confrontation reportedly interrupted the production, although officials have not disclosed how much filming was affected.
It is also unclear whether Jordan or Butler was present when the incident occurred.
Neither actor has publicly commented on the confrontation, and there is no indication that either was personally threatened.
The incident comes during a busy period for Jordan, whose career has continued reaching new heights following his acclaimed performances in “Creed,” “Black Panther” and the supernatural thriller “Sinners.”
His latest project represents another major starring role, pairing him with Butler in a modern big-screen interpretation of one of television’s most recognizable crime dramas.
Despite the frightening confrontation, police say the situation was resolved without injuries, and the knife was recovered.
Investigators have not identified a motive for Perez’s alleged behavior, and the criminal case remains pending.