The cult 1980s show is set to be rebooted by director Justin Lin ("Star Trek Beyond"). Unlike the 2008 sequel series, this reboot will be airing on the Internet rather than on TV, announces Machinima, the studio behind several web-based series based on video games.
With no movie adaptation in sight, "Knight Rider" is set to make its big comeback in the series. Justin Lin, who directed four installments of "Fast and Furious" and the latest "Star Trek" movie, is teaming with NBCUniversal and Machinima -- the studio behind "Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn," "Mortal Kombat: Legacy" and "Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist" -- to develop the project. The series will be produced by Justin Lin and YOMYOMF, the YouTube channel he helped to found in 2012.
The plot of the series, due to land in 2017, is as yet unknown. It should, however, draw inspiration from the original "Knight Rider" show, starring David Hasselhoff, which aired between 1982 and 1986 on American network NBC. The actor shot to fame in his role as Michael Knight, a high-tech crime fighter with an artificially intelligent and virtually indestructible car called KITT.
NBC has tried on several occasions to revive this now cult show. In 1991, a TV movie, "Knight Rider 2000," was screened to gauge audience enthusiasm. In 2008, the network finally brought the series back to screens with a new "Knight Rider," following the adventures of Mike Tracer, Michael Knight's estranged son. Val Kilmer was even signed up to voice KITT. The series struggled to find fans, however, and was canceled after just 17 episodes.
Justin Lin will be pursuing his career as a movie director alongside the project. The Taiwanese-American filmmaker will be directing "Space Jam 2," featuring NBA star Lebron James, and "Hot Wheels," based on the line of toy cars from Mattel.
