By Ryan Parsons | Image property of respective holders, Variety.
Val Kilmer
It looks like Will Arnett didn't have the necessary vocals to pull of KITT for NBC's Knight Rider. Or did he?
Val Kilmer Kitts Up for Knight Rider
While Val Kilmer is stepping in to replace Arnett, that doesn't mean that the usual funny man wasn't fit for the part. Arnett was forced to leave the production due to a 'contractual conflict,' leaving KITT voiceless for remaining scenes. No, we won't hear two different KITTs, as Kilmer will have to re-record everything that has been done so far.
So - why did Arnett have to leave the production? Turns out he is contractual tied to GM, having done voice-over work as the voice of GMC trucks. Knight Rider will serve as a promotional baby for Ford, something GM did not approve of. Maybe they should have thought of that when it was announced that KITT was going to be a Ford Mustang. We've all seen 24, and now have a general sense of how a single vehicle contribution becomes one giant commercial for Ford.
"I was very excited at the prospect of playing the part of KITT in the new Knight Rider movie," Arnett said. "However, because of a long relationship with General Motors as the voice of GMC Trucks, I had to respectfully withdraw from the project."
Remaining optimistic, NBC has to be stoked to have a name like Val Kilmer onboard. Sorry Arnett, but it's true.
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