‘Rider’ ready …. almost

NBC Photo featuring "Knight Rider"

   NBC will be fine-tuning the new “Knight Rider” movie right up to the airdate.  

   The modern-day sequel to the 1980’s television series is scheduled to premiere with a 2-hour movie (that will serve as the series pilot) at 8 p.m. Feb. 17.    

   What with all the special effects involved with creating the new KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand) car capable of shifting shape and color, it’s understandable that things will need to be tweaked until the last possible second.   

   But another setback surfaced when Will Arnett (“Arrested Development”), who was to be the new voice of KITT, had to back out because of his verbal endorsement work for General Motors. KITT, after all, is a Ford Mustang.   

   Arnett had already completed the voice-overs for the movie. But reports surfaced Thursday that Val Kilmer (“Comanche Moon”) will replace Arnett as the voice of KITT.