KITT is embarking on an exhilarating new journey, courtesy of the visionary minds behind the globally acclaimed "Cobra Kai." Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg, and Josh Heald, the trio responsible for the Netflix phenomenon, are in preliminary negotiations to bring "Knight Rider," the iconic 1980s action-packed drama featuring a sophisticated, talking automobile, to the silver screen. Heald, Hurwitz, and Schlossberg are at the nascent stage of penning the screenplay, with Hurwitz and Schlossberg also contemplating helming the project.
Through their production house, Counterbalance Entertainment, the trio will don the producer's hat, joining forces with Kelly McCormick and David Leitch of 87North—renowned for their production of "The Fall Guy" and bound by a first-look deal with Universal. Additionally, Gary Barber and Chris Stone of Spyglass will contribute their producing prowess to the endeavor.
"Knight Rider," which aired on NBC from 1982 to 1986 and was conceived by the prolific TV producer Glen A. Larson, was a seminal series of its time. It combined an outlandish high-concept premise, a charismatic leading man, and an unforgettable synth-laden theme song. David Hasselhoff starred as Michael Knight, a detective-turned-agent for FLAG (Foundation for Law and Government), who was paired with KITT—a modified, artificially intelligent, and virtually indestructible Trans Am. Together, they raced against the odds to combat lawless criminals.
Talks of adapting the series into a feature film have been circulating for quite some time, with a previous script penned by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider. However, this new incarnation remains shrouded in mystery, much like the semi-trailer hiding unexpected surprises—especially considering the creative prowess of the "Cobra Kai" creators.
Hurwitz and Schlossberg made their directorial and screenwriting debut with the whimsical "Harold & Kumar" movies before penning and directing the "American Pie" sequel, "American Reunion," for Universal. They collaborated with Heald to create, showrun, and executive produce "Cobra Kai," a sequel series to the beloved "Karate Kid" films. By blending vintage characters with fresh talent, and seamlessly fusing comedy, drama, heart, and action, they crafted a show that resonated with multiple generations. "Cobra Kai" became a Netflix juggernaut, garnering critical acclaim and peer admiration, with its third season earning an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series.
Following the conclusion of "Cobra Kai's" sixth and final season on Netflix earlier this year, Hurwitz, Schlossberg, and Heald embarked on a quest for their next adventure. Among them is a revival of the "Harold & Kumar" franchise for Lionsgate/Mandate Pictures.
This team has demonstrated a knack for reinventing classic narratives and intellectual properties in innovative ways. Beyond "Knight Rider" and "Karate Kid/Cobra Kai," they also tackled a spinoff of the 1980s classic "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" for Paramount, which would have narrated the tale of two valets and their joyride in a legendary Ferrari.
Hurwitz, Schlossberg, and Heald are represented by CAA, with Hurwitz and Schlossberg also represented by Hansen Jacobson, and Heald by Behr Abramson. Universal's Executive Vice President of Production Development, Matt Reilly, and Director of Development, Tony Ducret, will oversee the project for the studio.
