Knight Rider Revival Rumors Explode: New KITT, Cast, Release Date & How to Watch

Knight Rider’s turbo boosts are warming up again: Universal Pictures is officially developing a feature-film reboot of the 1980s cult series, tapping Cobra Kai creators Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg and Josh Heald to write and produce. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the creative trio will shepherd the project through their Counterbalance Entertainment banner, fresh off wrapping the final season of their hit Netflix series. Why the classic still resonates in 2025 Four decades after David Hasselhoff first cracked jokes with an AI-equipped Pontiac Trans Am, Knight Rider’s core premise—one man, one intelligent car—feels timelier than ever. Autonomous vehicles, generative AI dashboards and real-time data analytics have turned yesterday’s sci-fi into today’s R&D road map. That real-world relevance is a key reason Universal believes a theatrical reboot can connect with Gen Z action fans as well as nostalgic audiences. What we know so far about the Knight Rider movie • Creative team: Hurwitz, Schlossberg and Heald (Cobra Kai, Harold & Kumar) are writing the script and producing through Counterbalance; a director has not been announced. • Tone: Early interviews suggest a “grounded but fun” PG-13 approach that merges the sleek techno-thriller vibe of the original pilot with the heartfelt mentorship dynamics that made Cobra Kai a streaming juggernaut. • Modern KITT: Sources close to the production hint that the new Knight Industries Two Thousand will be an electric hypercar loaded with conversational AI, LIDAR-based autonomy and over-the-air combat upgrades—technology flashy enough for the big screen yet plausible enough for car geeks. • Hasselhoff cameo? Both Universal and the writing team have publicly stated their respect for the original star, fueling speculation that Michael Knight himself could appear as a legacy character passing the torch. Release window and production timeline Universal is targeting a late-2026 theatrical release, with the screenplay expected to lock by early 2026. Casting is slated to begin this winter; industry insiders say producers are seeking a charismatic lead in the 25-35 age range who can deliver both stunts and comedy. Why fans should keep their scanner LEDs blinking Beyond the nostalgia factor, Knight Rider offers Universal a potential cross-platform franchise: video-game tie-ins, connected-car brand partnerships and a merchandising line ranging from die-cast models to smart-speaker replicas of KITT’s iconic red scanner. If the Cobra Kai team can thread the needle between retro charm and next-gen spectacle, the new Knight Rider could accelerate into the same pop-culture fast lane occupied by Top Gun: Maverick and the Fast Saga. Stay tuned as more details—from KITT’s final car model to the casting of FLAG’s newest operative—roll out over the coming months.