NBC officially announces Knight Rider, new KITT unveiled!
by John Neff on Dec 12th 2007 at 2:56PM 
UPDATE: TV Squad has live coverage of the unveiling.
click either image for high-res gallery of the new KITT on Knight Rider
NBC held a press conference today officially announcing the return of Knight Rider to network TV. The new show will debut as a two-hour movie on February 17th with a cast that includes Justin Bruening, Deanna Russo, Sydney Tamiia Poitier and Bruce Davison. Also confirmed is the return of David Hasselhoff in the role of an elder Michael Knight. Finally, the character we care about most, KITT, has been officially confirmed as a Ford GT500KR. The voice of KITT will also be none other than Will Arnett, husband of Saturday Night Live's Amy Poehler and ex-alum of the TV show Arrested Development.
There will actually be three versions of KITT in the show: a 540-hp standard version of the character named KITT Hero, a super high-speed version that's heavily modified for combat called KITT Attack (click here to view his body changes), and a driverless version called KITT Remote. According to NBC, KITT in the modern era is a supercomputer capable of hacking anything that plugs into a wall, and thanks to progress made in the area of nanotechnology, its body can shift both its shape and color.
Follow the jump for the official press release from NBC, including a brief rundown of the premier's storyline.
[Source: NBC]
PRESS RELEASE:
UPDATED 'KNIGHT RIDER' REVS UP TO RETURN TO NBC FOR SPECIAL TWO-HOUR MOVIE EVENT ON FEBRUARY 17 AS NEW KITT CAR IS REVEALED
BURBANK, Calif. - December 12, 2007 - As "Knight Rider" -- NBC's iconic 1980s television classic that became a runaway success, comes roaring back to life on the network with an updated sequel that will air as a two-hour movie event on Sunday, February 17 (9-11 p.m. ET) -- NBC unveiled the new customized KITT Ford Mustang to be featured in the series in a press event held at NBC's Burbank Studios today.
The movie stars Justin Bruening ("Cold Case," "All My Children"), Deanna Russo ("NCIS," "The Young and the Restless"), Sydney Tamiia Poitier ("Veronica Mars," "Grindhouse") and Bruce Davison ("Breach," "Close to Home"). In addition, David Hasselhoff (NBC's "America's Got Talent") -- who starred in the popular lead role as Michael Knight for four seasons during the original series -- returns as the same character in a special guest-star appearance. Will Arnett (NBC's "30 Rock," "Blades of Glory") will provide the voice of KITT.
Dave Bartis ("Heist," "The O.C.") and Doug Liman ("Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "The Bourne Identity") serve as executive producers.
NBC also has an arrangement with Ford Motor Company that provides for a unique content opportunity that makes the Ford Mustang one of the stars of the movie.
The three cars to be employed in the series include the KITT Hero -- a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR that is playing the part of the everyday Hero car with 540 horsepower; the KITT Attack -- a super high-speed version of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR Hero car that transforms into Attack mode with the help of air-ride technology and specialized body parts -- and a KITT Remote, which is a driverless Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR version of the Hero vehicle.
As the original story resumes, the new KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand) is absolutely the coolest car ever created: its supercomputer capable of hacking almost any system; its weapons systems efficient; and its body -- thanks to its creator's work and nanotechnology -- is capable of actually shifting shape and color. Plus, its artificial intelligence makes it the ideal crime-fighting partner: logical, precise and possessing infinite knowledge. It is the ultimate car -- and someone will be willing to do anything to obtain it.
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.
David Andron is supervising producer and writer. Steve Shill ("Dexter," "The Tudors"), also a co-executive producer, directs the two-hour movie from Universal Media Studios and Dutch Oven Productions.
click either image for high-res gallery of the new KITT on Knight Rider
NBC held a press conference today officially announcing the return of Knight Rider to network TV. The new show will debut as a two-hour movie on February 17th with a cast that includes Justin Bruening, Deanna Russo, Sydney Tamiia Poitier and Bruce Davison. Also confirmed is the return of David Hasselhoff in the role of an elder Michael Knight. Finally, the character we care about most, KITT, has been officially confirmed as a Ford GT500KR. The voice of KITT will also be none other than Will Arnett, husband of Saturday Night Live's Amy Poehler and ex-alum of the TV show Arrested Development.
There will actually be three versions of KITT in the show: a 540-hp standard version of the character named KITT Hero, a super high-speed version that's heavily modified for combat called KITT Attack (click here to view his body changes), and a driverless version called KITT Remote. According to NBC, KITT in the modern era is a supercomputer capable of hacking anything that plugs into a wall, and thanks to progress made in the area of nanotechnology, its body can shift both its shape and color.
Follow the jump for the official press release from NBC, including a brief rundown of the premier's storyline.
[Source: NBC]
Gallery: The new KITT - OFFICIAL PHOTOS
PRESS RELEASE:
UPDATED 'KNIGHT RIDER' REVS UP TO RETURN TO NBC FOR SPECIAL TWO-HOUR MOVIE EVENT ON FEBRUARY 17 AS NEW KITT CAR IS REVEALED
BURBANK, Calif. - December 12, 2007 - As "Knight Rider" -- NBC's iconic 1980s television classic that became a runaway success, comes roaring back to life on the network with an updated sequel that will air as a two-hour movie event on Sunday, February 17 (9-11 p.m. ET) -- NBC unveiled the new customized KITT Ford Mustang to be featured in the series in a press event held at NBC's Burbank Studios today.
The movie stars Justin Bruening ("Cold Case," "All My Children"), Deanna Russo ("NCIS," "The Young and the Restless"), Sydney Tamiia Poitier ("Veronica Mars," "Grindhouse") and Bruce Davison ("Breach," "Close to Home"). In addition, David Hasselhoff (NBC's "America's Got Talent") -- who starred in the popular lead role as Michael Knight for four seasons during the original series -- returns as the same character in a special guest-star appearance. Will Arnett (NBC's "30 Rock," "Blades of Glory") will provide the voice of KITT.
Dave Bartis ("Heist," "The O.C.") and Doug Liman ("Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "The Bourne Identity") serve as executive producers.
NBC also has an arrangement with Ford Motor Company that provides for a unique content opportunity that makes the Ford Mustang one of the stars of the movie.
The three cars to be employed in the series include the KITT Hero -- a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR that is playing the part of the everyday Hero car with 540 horsepower; the KITT Attack -- a super high-speed version of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR Hero car that transforms into Attack mode with the help of air-ride technology and specialized body parts -- and a KITT Remote, which is a driverless Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR version of the Hero vehicle.
As the original story resumes, the new KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand) is absolutely the coolest car ever created: its supercomputer capable of hacking almost any system; its weapons systems efficient; and its body -- thanks to its creator's work and nanotechnology -- is capable of actually shifting shape and color. Plus, its artificial intelligence makes it the ideal crime-fighting partner: logical, precise and possessing infinite knowledge. It is the ultimate car -- and someone will be willing to do anything to obtain it.
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.
David Andron is supervising producer and writer. Steve Shill ("Dexter," "The Tudors"), also a co-executive producer, directs the two-hour movie from Universal Media Studios and Dutch Oven Productions.
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 10)
boulderhorn 3:01PM (12/12/2007)
i think i just threwup a little
Reply
0mega 3:03PM (12/12/2007)
you and me both dude, not the right car AT ALL for KITT, he was all pointy and fancy... this thing is too round but flat in the front... :(
Carlos 5:29PM (12/12/2007)
Really - A double wing???? WTF
Yes lets go vindicate all of those ridiculous Hondas with double wings on the trunk, a supra wing on the roof and lame pep-boys scoops taped all over the fenders and hood.
J.Crew 10:49PM (12/12/2007)
Yeah, I had the same reaction...
Didn't Autoblog just post something yesterday about the Mustang's sales numbers slipping? This ugly thing will only hurt the brand...especially after Ford puts out another dumb "special edition" dedicated to this retarded POS.
John R 6:37AM (12/13/2007)
Truth be told, there are a lot of riced out '95 mustangs runnin' around with the entire JC Whitney catalogue tacked on. If anyone is going to be vindicated, it'll be those guys.
Donnie 12:28AM (12/16/2007)
Maybe you should write gm and ask them wat they were thinking discounting the trans am which was the original kitt i like the ford version i mean i miss the old kitt but come on its gms fault
Firebird4Life 3:30AM (12/16/2007)
BLASPHEMY!!! How could they do this to Knight Rider fans?! To switch from a Firebird to a Mustang is like switching from Coke to Pepsi. I know they don't make the 'Birds anymore, but this is an outrage! I was looking forward to the new show, but now HELL NO!
Donald 3:04PM (12/12/2007)
So not only are we insulted with the concept of "mass shifting" again, but they also brought back the absurdity of "super pursuit mode?"
At least it isn't a t-top car that turns into a convertible.
Still disappointed with their choice of vehicle, and it's not because I'm a GM fanboy. This Mustang just looks ridiculous.
Reply
mike 4:02PM (12/12/2007)
Check out this Saleen video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFEciaKSqpo
SPF 3:05PM (12/12/2007)
Seriously? Two spoilers? Also, WTF is that huge scoop on the door? It better has some wicked functions.
Reply
Ligor 5:32PM (12/12/2007)
yeap, this looks all wrong,
maybe a wing flips out of hte dors adn the car can now fly
hahha
wrong car
bob 11:19PM (12/15/2007)
mustangs have the big scoop on the doors from the factory, its just the way they desgined the car.
Mike 3:06PM (12/12/2007)
No camaro concept? No one off car? A mustang??? Such a disgrace to KITT...should have just used a one off car or tried to get the camaro concept.
FAIL like Florida
Reply
geo.stewart 5:16PM (12/12/2007)
koeniggsegg CCX-R
thats all I'm saying
Vette would have been good, viper was already taken with its own c-level show yrs ago. mustang's not bad. the original was a car that was based on an everyman car.
going to miss the ejector seat through the T-tops though.
harma41 6:52PM (12/12/2007)
Oh KITT, why have they turned you into turd on wheels? I hate it so much, that I think it will make me avoid the show even more now then before I saw the new car.
I would have to agree with geo.stewart:
koeniggsegg CCX-R
MrBRain 1:59PM (12/13/2007)
lol, the concept Camaro. K.I.T.T needs to be a car with muscles!
cowboy bob 3:07PM (12/12/2007)
Oh how wonderfull. Another Mustang. I'm so excited. WooWooWoo,,ow. Musta' hurt myself jumping for joy...........snore.
Reply
cowboy bob 3:08PM (12/12/2007)
No, most of that puke is mine.
Reply
Big J 3:09PM (12/12/2007)
That thing is ridiculously repulsive. I think I would rather see a Mini Coop.
Reply
Pete 3:12PM (12/12/2007)
Well this is going to be a real poo pirate...