Web This Site

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Knight Rider: The new KITT unveiled


Children of the ‘80s, feast on this.

NBC unveiled its new version of KITT, the artificially intelligent, shape-shifting car, for the upcoming two-hour modernized TV movie version of Knight Rider.

This version of KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand) is a customized black Ford Mustang.

In even bigger news, Will Arnett (Arrested Development) will provide the voice of KITT. Arnett has big shoes to fill. I can’t imagine anyone better than the perfectly pitched snarky William Daniels from the original show.

There are actually three versions of the car, according to NBC. One is KITT Hero, a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR with 540 horsepower; the KITT Attack, a super high-speed version of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR that transforms into Attack mode, with the help of air-ride technology and specialized body parts, and KITT Remote, a driverless Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR version of the Hero vehicle.

Is it wrong that I’m excited to see this movie? I loved the ‘80s TV show, with The Hoff and his permed hair and leather jacket. I’m hoping that television handles this remake better than the film industry has handled TV remakes in the past. (Yes, I’m talking about Charlie’s Angels, Starsky and Hutch, and The Dukes of Hazzard.)

This version of Knight Rider will feature KITT shape shifting and changing colors. Cool, right? Also, David Hasselhoff, is signed on as a special guest star to appear in his original role of Michael Knight. I’m not sure how they’ll put that off, but I’m open to anything.

The movie stars Justin Bruening, Deanna Russo, Sydney Tamiia Poitier and Bruce Davison. Here’s a brief synopsis of what we can expect:

Sarah Graiman is a 24-year old Ph.D candidate at Stanford University, following in her genius father Charles' (Davison) footsteps. But when men attempt to abduct her, Sarah receives a mysterious call from KITT warning her that he's a creation of Charles, who also invented the first KITT 25 years ago -- and that her father is in serious danger. Sarah and KITT track down her best friend from childhood, Mike Tracer (Bruening), a 23-year-old ex-Army Ranger, whom Sarah hasn't seen since he left home at 18. Having served in Iraq, Mike is now jaded and lost and initially resistant. Eventually he agrees to help Sarah and the two set out to discover who's behind the attempt to procure KITT and find Charles. Along the way, Carrie Rivai (Poitier) plays the agile yet tough FBI agent who has a long-standing friendship with Charles and Sarah. Due to those ties, she is brought into the mix to help in the search.

Mark your calendars for February 17 at 9 p.m. ET to check out the new Knight Rider.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Child of the '80s here! I'm excited about this too, Jennifer. Yes, the show was cheesy, but I loved it anyway. Justin was really good on All My Children, so I think this could turn in to a cool show, if it's written well.

Or it could go the way of the Bionic Woman remake....

Anonymous said...

I remember when I was in the 4th grade and KITT came to the mall, I was in awe! I hope the remake is decent.

Anonymous said...

Too funny, Becky! I loved KITT, too.

But I also had a little crush on The Hoff.

Anonymous said...

Hanging head in shame to admit that I, too, was a freakish Knight Rider fan.

I didn't see KITT at the mall, but I would have given the opportunity.

Anonymous said...

Jennifer, I heard you on the Magic Morning show on Tuesday talking about KITT, and I have to agree with Jack Logar that I'm nervous about this shape-shifting thing. I don't know how they'll pull this thing off.

Anonymous said...

a ford mustang thats crap!!! i loved the old K.I.T.T i wont watch it!!!! the new TA would have been much better and more to the shows roots..... most poeple watched the show for the car anyway.. a mustang, what is a high school girl goingto take the place of the Hoff?

Anonymous said...

THIS IS A SICK CAR THEY DID A TRULLY AMAZING JOB ON THE KITT. I GIVE THE FOLKS AT NBC A STRONG 10 OUT OF 10 POINTS FOR THIER EFFORTS ON THIS SHOW. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK

Anonymous said...

I don't know if I'm sold on this new Knight Rider compared to the old - but I still watch :)

Copyright 2007 Tube Talk