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54-413: Knight Rider is an American entertainment franchise created by Glen A. Larson . The core of Knight Rider is its three television series: the original Knight Rider (1982–1986) and sequel series Team Knight Rider (1997–1998) and Knight Rider (2008–2009). The franchise also includes three television films, a short-lived spinoff series, computer and video games, and novels, as well as KnightCon,

108-424: A Knight Rider convention. Beginning with the original television series and continuing with the subsequent films and series, the franchise has developed a cult following and spawned many pop culture references. The original Knight Rider series followed the adventures of Michael Knight , a modern-day crime fighter who uses a technologically advanced, artificially intelligent automobile. This car, named KITT ,

162-462: A Vietnam veteran -turned- drifter , travels across the United States in a camper van, with only his dog for company. Dalton involves himself in the personal lives of people he meets. In a similar fashion to Knight Rider , he uses his fighting skills to help them gain justice over their enemies. The Dalton character was retooled for the planned spin-off series, whose pilot, Code of Vengeance ,

216-600: A character or fictional world becoming popular in one medium, and then expanding to others through licensing agreements , with respect to intellectual property in the franchise's characters and settings. As one author explains, "For the studios, a home-run is a film from which a multimedia 'franchise' can be generated; the colossally expensive creation of cross-media conglomerates predicated on synergistic rewards provides an obvious imperative to develop such products." The trend later developed wherein franchises would be launched in multiple forms of media simultaneously; for instance,

270-592: A detailed Knight 2000 turbine engine which is exclusive to the model and was never shown in the TV series. Additional features include pop up headlights, revolving license plates, ejector seats, removable t-tops and a foldable rear seat. A "Fun Pack" based on Knight Rider for the toys-to-life video game Lego Dimensions was released in February 2017. The pack includes a Michael Knight minifigure and constructible KITT, and unlocks additional Knight Rider -themed content in

324-485: A franchise can even be created, which ultimately leads to the creation of brand worlds. Since the creation of Disneyland in 1955, bringing fictional media franchises to life through the theme parks slowly became increasingly popular as the way to perfectly blend tourism and real-life involvement with media itself. Similar to transmedia, the concept of bringing fictional media into a non-fictional space where fans can immerse themselves in real-life versions of elements from

378-424: A modeling agency, several television shows ( Playboy's Penthouse , in 1959), and even its own television channel . Twenty-five years later, Playboy released private clubs and restaurants, movie theaters, a radio show , direct to video films, music and book publishing (including original works in addition to its anthologies of cartoons, photographs, recipes, advice, articles or fiction that had originally appeared in

432-630: A nationwide concert tour, an American Idol book that made the bestseller list and the film From Justin to Kelly . A transmedia franchise however is often referred to by the simpler term "media franchise". The term media franchise is often used to describe the popular adaptation of a work into films, like the popular Twilight book series that was adapted into the five films of The Twilight Saga . Other neologisms exist to describe various franchise types including metaseries , which can be used to describe works such as Isaac Asimov 's Foundation series . Multimedia franchises usually develop through

486-445: A sort of action-comedy hybrid in the same vein as 21 Jump Street . In December 2015, a media report indicated that a new web series named Knight Rider Heroes was in the works and would include David Hasselhoff. This concept was never completed or released. The project is believed to be abandoned. In August 2020, Deadline reported that Spyglass Media Group has teamed with Atomic Monster ’s James Wan and Michael Clear to develop

540-460: A spin-off series, Code of Vengeance , also premiered. Three television series make up the bulk of the Knight Rider mythos: Knight Rider (1982–1986), Team Knight Rider (1997–1998), and Knight Rider (2008–2009). There also was a spin-off series, Code of Vengeance , that ran for one season (1985–1986). In total, 133 Knight Rider episodes have been produced across the seven seasons of

594-797: Is a 2008 television film which was created to serve as a backdoor pilot for the new Knight Rider television series, and aired on February 17, 2008. The serves as a direct sequel to the original series and ignores the Knight Rider 2000 film and the Team Knight Rider television series. It was directed by Steve Shill and written by David Andron and Glen A. Larson. The movie sees Mike Traceur ( Justin Bruening ) teaming up his childhood friend, Sarah Graiman ( Deanna Russo ), her father Charles Graiman ( Bruce Davison ), and Special Agent Carrie Rivai ( Sydney Tamiia Poitier ) to fight evil, he

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648-476: Is a smuggler who is contacted by Hannah Tyree ( Hudson Leick ), an employee of the Chrysalis Corporation, who want him to work for them as part of their video games division. Jake fights the evil Jared ( Brion James ). Hannah's consciousness is uploaded into a computer that Jake then installs in his Mustang. The movie was broadcast as part of Universal Television 's Action Pack . Knight Rider

702-616: Is a video game based on the original television series of the same name. It was developed by Davilex Games and distributed by Tri Synergy , and was released on November 22, 2002. The game allows the player to take control of KITT – the Knight Industries Two Thousand , in a range of missions including, racing, exploring, chasing and others. The player also meets famous villains from the original series, including KARR and Garthe Knight . Knight Rider: The Game 2

756-515: Is a video game for the PC-Engine based on the 1980s television series Knight Rider . It was produced by and published by Pack-In Video Co. Ltd on December 16, 1994 in Japan only. The game has a series of levels and each one requires that KITT be navigated through and around various cars, big rig trucks, and other obstacles in order to reach their destination on each level. Knight Rider: The Game

810-413: Is a video game sequel to Knight Rider: The Game , which was again developed by Davilex Games and was published by Koch Media on November 5, 2004, for PC and PlayStation 2. The Knight Rider franchise has a number of novels, video games, and other materials that cover many aspects of the various series and films. Various toy versions of KITT were released and produced solid profits. The more notable of

864-960: Is paired up with a new KITT, the Knight Industries Three Thousand . The movie was a success and resulted in a new series . Knight Rider is a 1986 video game by Ocean Software that was released in Europe for several computer platforms. Knight Rider is a racing video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System that is very loosely based on the television show of the same name . It was developed by Pack-In-Video and published by Acclaim Entertainment . The game sees KITT having to travel between fifteen cities that are featured, starting with San Francisco and ending in Los Angeles. Knight Rider Special ( ナイトライダースペシャル , Naito Raidā Supesharu )

918-484: Is the Japanese term for a transmedia franchise. The term media mix gained its circulation in late 1980s and is first used to describe adaptations of Sakyo Komatsu 's Japan Sinks , but the origins of the strategy can be traced back to the 1960s with the proliferation of anime , with its interconnection of media and commodity goods. Some of the earlier popular Japanese franchises such as Vampire Hunter D in

972-417: Is the daughter of Michael Knight . However, it is never confirmed. The series was created by writer/producers Rick Copp and David A. Goodman , and was distributed by Universal Domestic Television . It ran for a single season of 22 one-hour episodes before it was canceled due to poor ratings. The new Knight Rider series followed Michael "Mike" Traceur, the estranged son of Michael Knight , as he takes up

1026-467: Is virtually indestructible, due to a high-tech coating applied to it. Knight Rider stories usually depict either average citizens, or ethical heads of corporations, being bullied into subservience to an overbearing or ruthless criminal organization. The protagonist(s) of each particular series is instructed by the Foundation for Law and Government (FLAG) to assist in some manner. The protagonist(s) has

1080-509: The Knight Rider memorabilia includes the remote controlled KITT, the Knight Rider lunch box, and the deluxe version of KITT. This final model, sold by Kenner Toys and dubbed the "Knight Rider Voice Car", spoke electronically, using a recording of the voice of William Daniels, featured a detailed interior and a Michael Knight action figure as well. In the 1980s there was a Knight Rider toy vehicle for Germany's Darda system. Also in

1134-491: The fantasy and science fiction genres. Similarly, fantasy, science fiction films and television shows are frequently adapted into animated television series , video games, or both. A media franchise does not have to include the same characters or theme, as the brand identity can be the franchise, like Square Enix 's Final Fantasy or the National Lampoon series , and can suffer from critical failures even if

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1188-499: The 1980s a Key Car of KITT was released. But it had no scanner and the windows were black with "Knight 2000" written in red letter on the doors. It included a key which was pushed into a hole below KITTs spoiler compressing a spring; then snaps into place. Squeezing the key releases it and the spring shoots the car forward. As with many popular series of the era (including The Dukes of Hazzard , The A-Team etc.), ERTL released die-cast toys of KITT in three different sizes –

1242-423: The 1980s and Pokémon in the late 1990s, acted as benchmarks in the country's transmedia dominance. The latter in particular began as a video game available on Nintendo 's Game Boy , and crossed through the media of television, film, news, and other non-media related realms, such trading cards, merchandise, and more. A number of Japanese media franchises have gained considerable global popularity, and are among

1296-412: The assistance of a high-tech, self-aware, and nearly indestructible vehicle. The series debuted in 1982 and ran for four seasons on NBC . These adventures were continued with the television films Knight Rider 2000 and Knight Rider 2010 and the short-lived Team Knight Rider . One other television movie, Knight Rider , served as a pilot for the 2008 television series Knight Rider . In 1985,

1350-620: The common miniature model, a "medium" model, and a large model. These toys featured red reflective holograms on the nose to represent the scanner (however, they were located on the point of the nose, rather like the early mock-up of KITT seen in the pilot episode) as opposed to altering the basic model design to incorporate the scanner as commonly seen in the series. The toys also included round steering wheels as opposed to KITT's steering yoke. Also in late 2004, 1/18 scale die-cast models of KITT and KARR were produced from ERTL, complete with detailed interior and illuminated moving scanner, just like in

1404-504: The day-in-the-life episodes of the many different Real Housewives series. Documentaries and docuseries are other highlights of the non-fiction branch of media franchises, such as the popular Planet Earth series, which serves as both a film and television transmedia franchise. Christine Steel Too Many Requests If you report this error to the Wikimedia System Administrators, please include

1458-407: The different media, regardless of the fact that they are being presented in sometimes completely different ways, such as the shared, interweaving storylines and elements of Spider-Man films, television shows, comics and video games. Espen Aarseth describes the financial logic of cost-recovery for expensive productions by identifying that a single medium launch is a lost opportunity, the timeliness of

1512-725: The fictional worlds they love, adds to the overall narrative the franchise creates through its other media. Marvel's Avenger's Campus park is one of the many franchise-based theme parks created in recent times, following the creation of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studio's Islands of Adventure and Star Wars' Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland and Disney World . Media franchises tend to cross over from their original media to other forms. Literary franchises are often transported to film, such as Nancy Drew , Miss Marple , and other popular detectives , as well as popular comic book superheroes . Television and film franchises are often expanded upon in novels , particularly those in

1566-470: The film The Matrix Reloaded and the video game Enter the Matrix were produced at the same time, using the same actors on the same sets, and released on the same day. Transmedia franchises occasionally release content through certain media that is not canon to the main or greater story that the franchise is built around, meaning that the elements of said content do not truly exist in the main timeline of

1620-616: The film adaptation as a potential franchise property. The following September, Hasselhoff invited actor Orlando Bloom to portray Knight's son in the film adaptation, but Bloom turned down the offer. In April 2007, Hasselhoff said, that the film was in development at Miramax , and that he would at least have a cameo in the film. On June 26, 2013, Brad Copeland was writing a script for a Knight Rider film after beating out Travis Beacham , Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci . On February 13, 2014, Schmoes Know reported that actors Chris Pratt and Danny McBride were in talks for roles and may use

1674-448: The film with Judson Scott serving as executive producer and TJ Fixman adapting the screenplay. Media franchise A media franchise often consists of cross-marketing across more than one medium. For the owners, the goal of increasing profit through diversity can extend the commercial profitability of the franchise and create strong feelings of identity and ownership in its consumers. Those large groups of dedicated consumers create

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1728-555: The focus on the content of the commodity to "overlapping the commodity image with the character image". The book Anime's Media Mix: Franchising Toys and Characters in Japan, by Marc Steinberg, details the evolution of the media mix in Japan. Long-running franchises were common in the early studio era, when Hollywood studios had actors and directors under long-term contract. In such cases, even lead actors are often replaced as they age, lose interest, or their characters are killed. Spin-offs and adaptations of popular pieces of media within

1782-403: The four various TV series. The original Knight Rider series saw Michael Knight ( David Hasselhoff ), a crime fighter who uses a high tech , artificially intelligent automobile, the Knight Industries Two Thousand ( KITT ). This car is a virtually indestructible weapon that fights for justice, and is voiced by actor William Daniels . The show was created and produced by Glen A. Larson , and

1836-429: The franchise's fandom , which is the community of fans that indulge in many of its media and are committed to interacting with and keeping up with other consumers. Large franchise-based fandoms have grown to be even more popular in recent years with the rise of social media platforms, as many fans seek to interact with one another for discussion, debate and even to create their own fan-made pieces of media revolving around

1890-405: The franchise, on websites like tumblr , Reddit and Fandom . In the case of successful transmedia franchises, each different medium should expand the target demographic and fandom, build the interest of the consumers and add to the overarching story and narrative of the franchise itself. A connection between the characters, settings, and other elements of the media franchise do still exist within

1944-415: The franchise. Canon content often times breaks continuity, leading fans to speculate or seek to confirm which media are canon and which are not, which can get confusing if the franchise does not provide an answer themselves since entire media can be non-canon to the greater story, with a popular example occurring. On the other hand, specific episodes, volumes or parts of a series can be canon while others in

1998-463: The game. In 2016, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare ' s "Zombies" mode features David Hasselhoff reprising his role as Michael Knight, appearing as the games map "Zombies in Spaceland"'s DJ. The Knight Rider theme plays in game and many references to the series and KITT are made. In March 2002, Revolution Studios announced a partnership with Mayhem Pictures to create a film adaptation of

2052-549: The likeness of David Hasselhoff, which was to be released in March 2013. In February 2013, Hot Wheels released a 1/18 die-cast of KITT as part of their die-cast Elite series of vehicles under their Cult Classics Collection. This one from Hot Wheels was an improvement over the one ERTL released back in 2004. With sharper attention to details on the dashboard, the model features an improved light up red scanner, opening doors and rear hatch, as well as an engine hood which opens up to reveal

2106-473: The magazine), footwear, clothing of every kind, jewelry, housewares (lamps, clocks, bedding, glassware), guitars and gambling, playing cards, pinball machines and pet accessories, billiard balls, bedroom appurtenances, enhancements, plus countless other items of merchandise. Non-fiction media franchises also exist in the television and film media, with reality TV being one of the most well-known examples; ranging from competition shows like The Amazing Race to

2160-504: The mantle of the FLAG driver. This time, he is driving the Knight Industries Three Thousand , also known as "KITT". The series stars Justin Bruening as Mike Traceur/Knight, and Deanna Russo as Sarah Graiman, Traceur's former girlfriend and love interest. Sarah is the daughter of Charles Graiman, played by Bruce Davison , the creator of a new generation of KITT, which is voiced by Val Kilmer . On May 19, 2009, NBC announced that Knight Rider

2214-400: The media fictional material is unrelated. Non-fiction literary franchises include the ...For Dummies and The Complete Idiot's Guide to... reference books . An enduring and comprehensive example of a media franchise is Playboy Enterprises , which began expanding well beyond its successful magazine, Playboy , within a few years after its first publication, into such enterprises as

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2268-400: The original series, with the Foundation for Law and Government (FLAG) using a team of five "highly skilled operatives" to do the job that Michael Knight used to do. They are Kyle Stewart (Brixton Karnes), Jenny Andrews ( Christine Steel ), Duke DePalma ( Duane Davis ), Erica West (Kathy Trageser), and Kevin "Trek" Sanders, ( Nick Wechsler ). In one of the episodes it is implied that Jenny Andrews

2322-423: The original voice of KITT, William Daniels, all at a push of a button. An Entertainment Earth exclusive version of that Diamond Select Toys 1/15 KITT, exclusive, as it will include an in scale figure of Michael Knight to go with the car, was released in February 2013 and was available exclusively at Entertainment Earth's Web site. Diamond Select Toys will also was to be releasing an 8-inch figure of Michael Knight with

2376-541: The premise of the film was described as having Hasselhoff reprise his role as Michael Knight, now the mentor to the protagonist as Devon Miles mentored Knight in the television series. The protagonist would be Knight's son, inheriting his father's role and driving the vehicle KITT . The producers' choice for the role was actor Ben Affleck . In May 2006, The Weinstein Company acquired film rights to adapt Knight Rider from series creator Larson. He expressed his interest in

2430-423: The production and release is more important than its integrity, the releases should raise brand awareness and the cross-ability of the work is critical for its success. American Idol was a transmedia franchise from its beginnings, with the first season winner Kelly Clarkson signing with RCA Records and having the release of A Moment Like This becoming a #1 hit on Billboard Hot 100. The success resulted in

2484-525: The same medium are not, such as the fact that only some of the Battlestar Galactica comics are canon, with a large amount of them breaking the continuity of the main story. In Japanese culture and entertainment, media mix ( wasei-eigo : メディアミックス , mediamikkusu ) is a strategy to disperse content across multiple representations: different broadcast media , gaming technologies, cell phones, toys, amusement parks , and other methods. It

2538-572: The series. In September 2006, Hitari, a UK-based company that produces remote control toy cars, released the Knight Rider KITT remote control car in 1/15 scale, complete with the working red scanner lights, KITT's voice from the television show and the car's turbine engine sound with the "whoosh whoosh" scanner sound effect. In December 2012, Diamond Select Toys released a talking electronic 1/15 scale KITT that features an illuminated dashboard, scanner, fog lights and tail lights, along with

2592-411: The television series. The film would be re-designed to be similar to Revolution's previous project, XXX . Series creator Glen A. Larson was hired to write the first script draft, with the series' lead actor David Hasselhoff attached as an advisor and also have an onscreen role. In April 2003, Revolution Studios hired screenwriters David Elliott and Paul Lovett to pen the film's script. In April 2004,

2646-424: The voice of the Knight 4000). The movie was developed as a pilot for a proposed new series, but despite high ratings, the plan was abandoned. Knight Rider 2010 is a television movie loosely based on the original Knight Rider series. It aired on February 13, 1994. It was directed by Sam Pillsbury and written by John Leekley . The movie is set in a Mad Max -style future where Jake McQueen (Richard Joseph Paul)

2700-477: The world's highest-grossing media franchises . For example, Pokémon 's penetration into the American market of the franchise along with others of Japanese origin, such as Yu-Gi-Oh! , gave rise to the recognition of what is variously called transmedia storytelling , crossmedia, transmediation , media synergy, etc. Researchers argue that the 1963 Tetsuwan Atomu marked a shift in Japanese marketing from

2754-454: Was a surprise ratings success in June 1985. A subsequent series, to be called Dalton , was ordered by NBC for midseason, then production was cancelled after just four episodes were completed. These aired in the summer of 1986 as a television movie titled Dalton: Code of Vengeance II and as a part of a fill-in series called Dalton's Code of Vengeance . Team Knight Rider is set ten years after

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2808-451: Was canceled after one season because of poor ratings. In 2016, it was announced that Machinima , YOMYOMF and NBCUniversal Brand Development are developing a Knight Rider reboot with Justin Lin producing and directing the series. There has been no info about this since. Knight Rider 2000 is a television sequel movie to the original Knight Rider series. It aired on May 19, 1991. It

2862-501: Was directed by Alan J. Levi and written by Rob Hedden and Glen A. Larson . The movie sees Michael Knight ( David Hasselhoff ) teaming up once again with Devon Miles ( Edward Mulhare ) in a near future science fiction setting. He is also paired up with a new supercar, the " Knight 4000 " to combat Thomas J. Watts ( Mitch Pileggi ), a former police officer turned psychotic killer. The movie also starred Susan Norman as Officer Shawn McCormick, and Carmen Argenziano as Russell Maddock (and

2916-456: Was originally broadcast on NBC from 1982 to 1986. The show has 90 episodes over four seasons. The two-part episode Knight Rider episode "Mouth of the Snake", was a backdoor pilot for a 1984 series to be called All That Glitters . Rejected by NBC, the lead character and actor were recycled for a short-lived 1985–1986 series titled Code of Vengeance , in it, David Dalton ( Charles Taylor ),

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