New Jersey is set to help revive a classic. A trio of writers, producers and directors—Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg and Josh Heald, best known for creating Cobra Kai—are developing a Knight Rider feature film for the big screen. The project would have Hurwitz and Schlossberg writing and directing, with 87 North, Spyglass and Universal Pictures attached to produce and distribute.
Actor and social media posts aside, the news signals a return to the beloved 1980s franchise that paired Michael Knight with the intelligent car KITT. The team behind the project celebrated the news online, with Hurwitz expressing excitement about revisiting an old favorite and reuniting with the studios and production partners involved.
The three filmmakers bring strong New Jersey roots to the project. Schlossberg and Hurwitz grew up in Randolph, while Heald hails from Red Bank. Their appointment to shepherd Knight Rider into a modern film context follows their successful run revitalizing nostalgic IP with Cobra Kai, a series that bridged 80s vibes with contemporary storytelling and action.
Knight Rider originally launched on NBC in 1982, running for four seasons. David Hasselhoff starred as Michael Knight, a crime-fighting operative for the Foundation for Law and Government, aided by KITT, the car with a sharp wit and advanced features described in the opening credits as a crusader for the innocent in a world of criminals who operate above the law. Glen A. Larson created the series, which has long sparked revival chatter and spawned various TV movies and spin-offs over the years.
Past revival attempts have included several TV movies—Knight Rider 2000 (1991), Knight Rider 2010 (1994) and a 2008 Knight Rider project—and spin-offs such as Team Knight Rider (1997) and another Knight Rider series in 2008. The current project follows the pattern of renewed interest in the property, with the Cobra Kai team aiming to bring a fresh, character-driven take to a familiar adrenaline-fueled premise.
In addition to their work on Knight Rider, Hurwitz, Schlossberg and Heald have additional credits that connect to broader audiences. They wrote and directed Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004) and its sequels, and helped helm American Reunion (2012). They also co-created the short-lived Netflix series Obliterated (2023) and are connected to an upcoming Netflix film, 72 Hours, starring Kevin Hart, which filmed in New Jersey this summer. Their track record suggests a blend of humor, action and nostalgia that could shape a Knight Rider movie with contemporary energy while honoring the original spirit.
What this could mean for fans is a bridge between the iconic car-and-detective premise of the 1980s and modern blockbuster production values, with a storytelling approach that has proven successful on Cobra Kai. If the project moves forward, a Knight Rider movie could introduce Michael Knight and KITT to a new generation while delivering the familiar thrills that longtime fans remember.
Summary: A Cobra Kai team is developing a big-screen Knight Rider, aiming to write and direct the film with strong studio and production partners, drawing on the franchise’s nostalgic appeal and the creators’ experience with nostalgia-driven hits. A release timeline hasn’t been announced. The project signals renewed interest in reimagining the classic for today’s audiences.
Additional note: This development could bolster New Jersey’s film scene, given the local roots of the creators and the state’s ongoing engagement with film production.