Will Mann's "Miami Vice" Sink or Swim?

While Michael Mann still has a month to polish his big-screen undercover cop flick, "Miami Vice," Fox News‘ Roger Friedman is predicting a box office stinker, according to a secret studio source.

Friedman’s naysaying insider cites a ballooning budget ($125 million, at the lowest) — despite Mann‘s reported avoidance of expensive special effects:

"The remake of the 1980s TV series cost $125 million, ‘and that’s what we’re admitting to,’ says a source at Universal Pictures. ‘It’s probably more like $150 million.’"

Gong Li and Colin Farrell generate some "Miami" heat

The source also places blame on Mann’s helming of the pic:

"No matter what Mann’s done so far in editing, sources tell me ‘Miami Vice’ still comes across as a good-looking empty shell of a movie."

Reports of a troubled "Vice" production are nothing new, as even before filming started rumors flew of over-budgeting, Mann’s perfectionist tendencies, and the off-set partying of A-list stars Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell (see previous man-boobs report).

No visible man-boobs, but Farrell is sporting a very troubling pseudo-mullet

To be fair, Hollywood Elsewhere‘s Jeffrey Wells counters Friedman’s boxoffice doomsday forecast, pointing to film critic F.X. Feeney’s positive reaction to an early cut. Wells also shows his personal approval of all things Mann — and with an unusually Fresh directorial Tomatometer (76% with 11 rated films, most in the 80s and higher), Michael Mann’s track record is definitely deserving of respect.

"Miami Vice" slips into theaters July 28.