NBC movie set for February premiere

Gentlemen, start your artificially intelligent, shape-shifting supercar engines: The "Knight Rider" remake has a premiere date.

NBC will unveil its updated version of the 1982-86 series with a two-hour movie on Sunday, Feb. 17. The film will also serve as a back-door pilot for a series targeted for the 2008-09 season.

The network unveiled the new KITT at a press event Wednesday, confirming online rumors that the supercar will be a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR. The movie will use three different models, including a remote control-operated car for use when KITT's driver is otherwise indisposed.

KITT, by the way, now stands for Knight Industries Three Thousand. The car in the original series (a 1980s-era Trans Am) was the Knight Industries Two Thousand.

The new "Knight Rider" centers on Mike Tracer (Justin Bruening), an ex-Army Ranger who, reluctantly at first, agrees to help childhood friend Sarah Graiman (Deanna Russo) find her missing father, Charles (Bruce Davison), the creator of KITT. The car comes equipped with myriad weapons, a computer capable of hacking just about anything and nanotechnology that allows the body to change shape and color if needed. Will Arnett of "Arrested Development" fame will provide the car's voice.

Sydney Tamiia Poitier also stars as an FBI agent and friend of Sarah's who helps in the search. Original "Knight Rider" star David Hasselhoff will make a cameo appearance.

David Andron wrote the script, and Steve Shill ("Dexter," "The Tudors") is directing. Doug Liman and Dave Bartis ("Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "The O.C.") are the executive producers.