Today I went to NBC studios for the unveiling of the new KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand) for the upcoming two-hour television movie Knight Rider set to air on February 17 at 9 p.m. ET. This modern-day sequel to the iconic 1980's show stars Justin Bruening (Cold Case), Deanna Russo (The Young and the Restless), Sydney Tamiia Poitier (Veronica Mars), and Bruce Davison (Breach). Will Arnett (Arrested Development) will play the voice of KITT. And don't worry, the Hoff will make a guest appearance as Michael Knight.
So, the whole point of the new Knight Rider movie is that KITT is the coolest car ever created and people will do anything to get their hands on it. The car has a supercomputer capable of hacking other computer systems, weapons, and it's body can shapeshift and change colors thanks to nanotechnology (and the magic of television). Plus, the car has artificial intelligence so it is the ultimate crime-fighting machine.
As I said, there were three cars at the event. They presented the KITT remote first. It is a driverless Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR which can be remote-operated from up to a mile away. 
The second car presented was the KITT Hero. It is the same make and model but it will play the part of the everyday car. They made a big deal about it having 540 horsepower too. I don't know much about cars so the information was lost on me. This car was driven by Justin Bruening and had the rest of the cast stuffed inside. 
The last car presented was the KITT Attack. This is a super high-speed version of the Hero car. The stuntman drove this car out and did some circles that made lots of smoke. The circles of smoke were slightly more impressive than the big announcement about the horsepower. 
After all the cars were presented, the cast got out of the KITT Hero car and stood as far away from the photographers as they could. Then the photographers yelled at them and made them come closer. Here's the cast from left to right: Justin Bruening, Deanna Russo, Bruce Davison, and Sydney Tamiia Poitier. 
This is Justin Bruening who plays Mike Tracer, the estranged son of original Knight Rider Michael Knight. He used to be an Abercrombie and Fitch model. Can you tell? 
Here's Deanna Russo who plays Sarah Graiman, the childhood friend and ex-girlfriend of Mike Tracer. She is also the daughter Charles Graiman who created KITT. She seeks out Mike's help when she receives word that her father is missing. 
Here's Sydney Tamiia Poitier (yep, she's related to him). The youngest daughter of legendary screen actor Sydney Sidney Poitier, she plays Carrie Ruvai, the tough FBI agent who butts heads with Mike Tracer. 
And finally here's Bruce Davison who plays Charles Graiman, the creator of KITT. He's spent most of his life trying to keep the blueprints for KITT out of the wrong hands. When he is attacked, KITT is sent to protect his daughter Sarah. 
Sadly, there were no pictures allowed of the inside of the cars. Well, let me clarify that. I was allowed to photograph the remote car's inside (so that's what you see below) but the other cars were not open. When I asked I got a slightly confusing answer about how the cars will be commercially available after the movie has aired. So, I think that they used a separate little set-up to the shots with the inside of the car. I apologize that I don't have a more exciting picture for the interior of the car. 
The new Knight Rider airs on Sunday February 17th at 9 p.m. ET. If nothing more compelling is on, I will definitely tune in. My reasons are these. First, Will Arnett is amazing and I'm interested to see what he does with the voice of KITT. Second, Bruce Davison will undoubtedly be great as the car's creator. He has done some awesome work in the past (i.e. X-Men, Breach, and The Crucible). What are you predictions for Knight Rider? Will you watch it?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
12-12-2007 @ 4:55PM
Akbar Fazil said...
Not using the original voice for KITT is a travesty.
However, using GOB is pure genius.
"Illusions Michael... tricks are what whores do for money....or candy!"
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12-12-2007 @ 5:01PM
Isabelle Carreau said...
I agree that they should have used the original voice. But having Will voice KITT is the next best thing! I'll watch probably just for him doing the voice... oh and to see how soap-opera-ish the Hoff's acting will be like when he cameos.
12-12-2007 @ 7:35PM
Dorv said...
So.... I'm showing my age... I thought William Daniels was the original voice...?
12-12-2007 @ 7:46PM
Dorv said...
Ok, and I feel like an idiot. I saw Will and thus thought William Daniels.
12-12-2007 @ 4:56PM
Oreo said...
Pictures of the car came out at least a week ago.
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12-12-2007 @ 4:59PM
Akbar Fazil said...
Spy pictures of the car came out and they were an unfinished product (they had a large racing stripe down the middle)
This is a report from the official unveiling.
12-12-2007 @ 5:27PM
Argus said...
Does this mean that the new KITT is going to be a total wiseass? Awesome.
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2-10-2008 @ 6:42PM
Evey said...
KITT has always been that!
12-12-2007 @ 5:29PM
ThematrixhasU said...
I say we boycott this show. Im a number one knight rider fan and they have disgrace the name KITT. A mustang has the aerodynamics of a brick and its a mustang boring brickish not sleek at all and its a ford. NBC has F**KED this one up badly I hope this show gets the lowest ratings of the season, even lower than reruns of infomorcials. Unless they change the car to one of the following, Corvette Z06 Dodge viper Chrysler ME412 Cadillac Sixteen, Something that says i can cut through the wind and get your A$$ not, I cant start becasue my ignition went bad and i got to make a stop at the nearest pepboys.
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12-12-2007 @ 5:42PM
bsgfan2003 said...
I too am not impressed with the Mustang. Is Ford financing this show?
At any rate I will still give this show a chance.
12-14-2007 @ 7:59AM
boris said...
You have GOT to be kidding, guys. Boycotting...Knight Rider? That's like calling in the military to step on a cockroach. This is Knight Rider we're talking about here. Knight Rider--one of the most ludicrous, poorly acted, cliched and juvenile shows ever conceived. Knight Rider--a show that has been widely lambasteed for the ineptitude of David Hasselhoff as an actor. A boycott isn't necessary--it wouldn't get high ratings even if every fan of the old show watched it anyway.
12-14-2007 @ 4:25PM
Spottedfeather said...
What about, oh, I don't know, a 1982 Pontiac Trans-Am ? What right do you have to update a character that's already perfect ? I saw the red swiping eye of the new kitt and it's horrible. We SHOULD boycott this movie. It's the same problem with that Transformers movie. Bumblebee was and is a yellow VW Bug, not a Camarro, awesome though the Camarro may be. The 1968 Camarro, mind you, not the modern crap they pass off as a car.
12-19-2007 @ 5:23AM
alberto said...
I got the mustang GT500 All black with flames painted on front.I don;t know what you are talking about. My car can burn mostly all street legal cars. the cars you mention...ie the viper...was on a show called "viper"...so it's done and done.
The Corvette Z06 Dodge viper Chrysler ME412 Cadillac Sixteen. All those cars are way too upscale... nothing a real bada$$ nomad would ride. So i think th e mustang is a great pick.
I just hope that's not the final interior of KITT. From the pic it looks blend and generic...hell my interior looks more futuristic and all i use was stock stuff you find online.
12-17-2007 @ 10:30PM
NERDtracker2000 said...
The new Trans Am is not ready yet...NERD!
1-08-2008 @ 4:42AM
Eric King said...
You're an idiot . . . . boycot a tv show? How lame. If you don't wanna watch because of the style of car used, then don't. Just don't be so ridiculous to act as if it's a federal case. Sheesh . . . .
2-15-2008 @ 3:49PM
Acpford said...
You must drive A Toyota! Fag.
12-12-2007 @ 5:37PM
LordPaul said...
Why do people hate Mustangs??
I rented one when I was visiting the US this year & it was awesome!
I think KITT looks badass
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12-12-2007 @ 5:47PM
sitruc said...
It's normally the people who drive Mustangs I don't like...
2-10-2008 @ 6:44PM
Evey said...
I'm okay with letting go the Trans Am (and I OWN one!) for the Mustang. The Modern Mustang has the cool factor with the accessibility factor in one. You KNOW KITT would upgrade to look cooler (and deny the whole thing). I just don't get how they can say this new grey hair guy is the creator of KITT. Wilton Knight created KITT. Y'know...KIGHT Industries? Are they devorcing this show from the original plot lines entirely? That would be sad! I hope they don't change the car's personality. He/it was a wonderful snob and a great sidekick. And a hero in his/its own right at times. It would be sad if they brought down the "good guy" factor in hopes of making the show more saleable. The hero/good guy thing was one of the aspects that kept the show alive so long. That and blinky lights!
12-12-2007 @ 5:43PM
Andrew said...
The Mustang is all wrong for a new KITT. If they had to use a Ford (I imagine they have a deal with Ford), couldn't they use a GT instead?
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