The creative team behind Cobra Kai is revving up for its next big project. Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg, and Josh Heald are in early talks with Universal Pictures to bring the iconic 1980s TV series Knight Rider to the big screen.
From the Dojo to the Driver’s Seat
The trio—who successfully reinvented The Karate Kid franchise with the hit Netflix series Cobra Kai—are expected to write and produce the new Knight Rider adaptation under their banner Counterbalance Entertainment. Hurwitz and Schlossberg are also in early discussions to direct.
They’ll join Kelly McCormick and David Leitch (The Fall Guy) producing through 87North as part of their first-look deal with Universal, alongside Gary Barber and Chris Stone of Spyglass.
The Legacy of *Knight Rider*
Originally airing on NBC from 1982 to 1986, Knight Rider was created by legendary TV producer Glen A. Larson. The series starred David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight, a detective recruited by FLAG (Foundation for Law and Government), who fought crime with the help of KITT—a high-tech, artificially intelligent Pontiac Trans Am.
The show became a defining part of 1980s pop culture, remembered for its futuristic premise, Hasselhoff’s leading role, and its instantly recognizable synth-driven theme song.
Reimagining a Cult Classic
Universal has been exploring a Knight Rider reboot for years. A previous draft of the script was written by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, but the new version will be entirely reimagined by the Cobra Kai team.
Given their track record of breathing fresh life into established IPs, fans can expect the filmmakers to approach the project with the same blend of nostalgia and reinvention that made Cobra Kai a global success.
A Proven Creative Formula
Hurwitz, Schlossberg, and Heald first broke out with the Harold & Kumar films before directing American Reunion for Universal. They then struck gold with Cobra Kai, which blended legacy characters with new talent, striking a balance of comedy, drama, and action that appealed to multiple generations. The show earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series during its run.
Now, with Cobra Kai wrapping after six seasons, the trio is moving into new projects—including a fresh Knight Rider film and a new installment of Harold & Kumar.
