Knight Rider movie rumor: Possible lead actor

Post by **Michael Pajaro** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 1:45 pm

From darkhorizons.com:

"Knight Rider: The Scunthorpe Telegraph reports Aussie actor Dan Paris, best known as hunky mechanic Drew on TV's "Neighbours" (the show which launched talents like Guy Pearce and Kylie Minogue), has been in meetings with Revolution Studios who apparently think he has star written all over him. As a result, he's been rumoured to be in discussions for a certain "talking car" film with "Dan possibly set to play the film's renegade hero behind the wheel". Vin Diesel was also a rumoured contender, but one reason Paris is up for the part is that Revolution is keen on the idea of going with an unknown as the brand label "Knight Rider" sells itself."

K.I.T.T · Post by **K.I.T.T** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 1:51 pm

NO NOT BLOODY DREW LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

K.I.T.T

Post by **Michael Pajaro** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 2:11 pm

This is the official Dan Paris site, but I've had a lot of runtime errors trying to view it:

http://www.danparis.com.au/

Here is a fan site. The pics aren't as clear, but there are many images and it's a much more browser-friendly site.

http://www.danparis.tk/
[edit- corrected link]

Most important thing to remember: nothing has been decided for sure. I am blindly giving the Scunthorpe Telegraph SOME credibility, but this is still a rumor at best.

I have never heard of Dan Paris before, but he has the "look" that I would expect to see in the new movie. K.I.T.T, you seem to be familiar with the show "Neighbors", what can you tell us about it and Dan?

Mike

SadArticle · Post by **SadArticle** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 2:14 pm

That better be a cruel, malicious rumour with not one iota of truth anywhere about it!

That man is so insipid. He's like an Australian Kevin Sorbet (

), which is most certainly not a good thing.

Gah.

Sarah[/i]

K.I.T.T · Post by **K.I.T.T** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 2:19 pm

Ok oK so its true when i was "Younger"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i did happen to see one or two episodes

But the guys stupid....no wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy would i want HIM in the new movie...geeezzz this is not a good rumour

K.I.T.T (

)

SadArticle · Post by **SadArticle** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 2:41 pm

Michael Pajaro wrote: I have never heard of Dan Paris before, but he has the "look" that I would expect to see in the new movie. K.I.T.T, you seem to be familiar with the show "Neighbors", what can you tell us about it and Dan?

Mike

I replied earlier before I noticed Mike's post.

Dan Paris (I'm still shuddering at the thought) actually does look like Kevin Sorbet. And I don't know about the 'actor', but in 'Neighbours', he was just there, like set dressing. His character was bland, and his whole appeal, I presume, was based on the fact that he had some chisel-jawed, muscled, foppish-haircut 'nice guy' thing going on. He played Drew Kirk, the local mechanic (the only one in town, apparently), who married a girl-next-door type from Ramsay Street (the focal setting of the show), who had his baby (despite the fact that doctors warned her not to, after an accident that nearly killed her ... Pure soap opera), only to lose her 'true love' in a badly-staged horse riding accident a year or so later. The powers that be had the good sense to badly injure, kill, bury, and mourn for Drew all in one episode, which shows how valued he was.

'Neighbours' is also just there, a long-running Australian soap opera that BBC1 just won't let go of.

Sarah, who obviously loves both the programme and the character

DJGM · Post by **DJGM** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 2:42 pm

More information about the Australian soap, "Neighbours", can be found over at
the official website http://www.neighbours.com/. The website also includes
an article about how Dan Paris' character, Drew Kirk, departed the show . . .

Post by **Michael Pajaro** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 2:47 pm

Maybe the Knight Rider movie will be a spin-off of Neighbors: Maybe Drew didn't really die. Instead, a strange foundation found his body, gave him a new identity, and replaced his horse with a car.

If Drew is a mechanic already, that would certainly come in handy if needed to do any repairs in the field.

Thanks for the summary, Sarah.

Post by **Michael Pajaro** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 2:55 pm

SadArticle wrote:He's like an Australian Kevin Sorbet [/i]

I've been going crazy trying to figure out who Kevin Sorbet was. I asked someone at work, who said "isn't he Hercules?" A-ha! Kevin Sorbo! Yes, Dan looks like a skinnier, dweebier version of him. Good call.

Mike

knightimmortal · Post by **knightimmortal** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 3:01 pm

I think you nailed it right on the head there, Mike.

This dude looks like a dweeb.

KI

Newcastle knight · Post by **Newcastle knight** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 3:02 pm

Ah hell no. if this is gonna be a big release then they could get a half decent actor to do it if David isnt gonna be the lead.

does America get neigbours ? didnt know that.

Scott

knightimmortal · Post by **knightimmortal** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 3:18 pm

We don't, but just one look at his site, and we can tell that he is a dweeb.

Well, not true, we get snippets of it whenever they talk about Kylie Minogue on the music channels.

KI

Post by **Michael Pajaro** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 3:27 pm

In some pictures he looks really dorky, in others he's more of a pretty-boy. He's better looking that I am, so I'm hardly one to criticize! In the past I have suggested Johnny Depp for the movie, and in some ways Paris looks to be a similar type. (Depp can be pretty or dweeby too). I think I'd be OK with his look for the movie.

Mike

knightimmortal · Post by **knightimmortal** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 3:34 pm

Michael Pajaro wrote:In some pictures he looks really dorky, in others he's more of a pretty-boy. He's better looking that I am, so I'm hardly one to criticize! In the past I have suggested Johnny Depp for the movie, and in some ways Paris looks to be a similar type. (Depp can be pretty or dweeby too). I think I'd be OK with his look for the movie.

Mike

Johnny Depp....uh, no.

And as for him being better looking than you, the jury is still out on that, Mike, since we still haven't seen that mug of yours.

KI

Spenser · Post by **Spenser** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 6:23 pm

You mean that David Hasselhoff is not the main actor in the new movie. It's not Knight and KITT fighting crime?
If thats true the movie will be a flop. It's been proved over and over that when they use different actors in movies that was made after tv shows was a flop. Charlie Angels, Mission Impossible, Etc...

Post by **Michael Pajaro** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 6:36 pm

Spenser wrote:You mean that David Hasselhoff is not the main actor in the new movie. It's not Knight and KITT fighting crime?
If thats true the movie will be a flop. It's been proved over and over that when they use different actors in movies that was made after tv shows was a flop. Charlie Angels, Mission Impossible, Etc...

Sorry Spenser, but you must be living on another planet!

Mission Impossible grossed $450 million worldwide.
MI2 grossed nearly $550 million.
Charlie's Angels grossed $264 million.

These are BIG movies, and are some of the most successful films of all time. They are not flops by any stretch of the imagination.

From the very start, the plan seemed to be that Hasselhoff would have only a small role in the movie, if any role at all. The idea was to renew the franchise and not have a 50 year old man acting like a kid again.

Mike

SadArticle · Post by **SadArticle** » Tue Jan 14, 2003 3:27 am

knightimmortal wrote:
Well, not true, we get snippets of it whenever they talk about Kylie Minogue on the music channels.

KI

The Kylie Minogue era was actually 'Neighbours' heyday! It was poor then, with wobbly sets and the like, but now it's just ... Well. There.

And at least Kylie's era spawned the likes of Kylie and Guy Pearce. Only two international names, but it beats the current score - Holly Vallance, anyone?

And sorry for the confusion, Mike - I have a bad habit of redubbing people/things.

*coughs* Silly Pop-out Mode

Sarah

Knight2000 · Post by **Knight2000** » Wed Jan 15, 2003 7:02 am

I couldn't really imagine Kevin Sorbo (Hercules) or Dan Paris (Drew, Neighbours) replacing the role of MK. They might have the looks but I think they're way too "squeaky-clean" to actually play some kind of action role that I think KR might have. Hercules would just break off the steering wheel when bracing himself for turbo boost and KITT wouldn't let Drew anywhere near the engine.

Post by **neps** » Wed Jan 15, 2003 8:01 am

if you think about it all Hasselhoff was before he became a Knight was a bad soap opera actor. Not ever seeing him in Young and the Restless more than a quick clip, its hard to compare their two acting tallents to see how much of a dweeb the new one is. Paris seems to be following a similar career path, perhaps David is taken by that..

I trust hasselhoff enough, no wait there was KR2000... hmm. If he really wants this to be successful, I'm sure they are thinking hard about any decisions are made. Nothing we can really do but accept and hope to trust their decisions.

March2875 · Post by **March2875** » Wed Jan 15, 2003 9:56 am

Plus think about it the way I hope it happens If David reprises the character of Michael Knight but now in the role of Devon's successor as FLAG's Executive Director (Which has been hinted at in the earlier Hasselhoff plot ideas) wouldn't Michael after all these years of putting his life on the line after working with Kitt and being as good as he was deserve a promotion. In real life Promotions happen. This is how I want the new KR movie to pickup as if Knight Rider is real life. Or a similar with him now retired coming back just as he did in KR2000. But without a complete KR2000 rehash.

Post by **Matthew** » Wed Jan 15, 2003 11:11 am

Well, for the sake of nostalgia, i had hoped it'd be Michael and Kitt(David and William) riding together again, in the present, rather than a replacement. Im not sure if i read it here or not, but i recall at being said by someone that if Pierce Brosnan can still play Bond, then David should still be able to be Michael still carrying out Wiltons dream.

SadArticle · Post by **SadArticle** » Wed Jan 15, 2003 2:42 pm

math_scott wrote:Well, for the sake of nostalgia, i had hoped it'd be Michael and Kitt(David and William) riding together again, in the present, rather than a replacement. Im not sure if i read it here or not, but i recall at being said by someone that if Pierce Brosnan can still play Bond, then David should still be able to be Michael still carrying out Wiltons dream.

You know, it may not be plausible, or planned for, but I agree. David Hasselhoff is not a stunning actor, but there's just something about him that fits the role. In the original series, he had the sort of offbeat good looks and tall, rangy figure that made him both a suitable ladies' man and a believable 'ex-cop-turned-private-vigilante'. Now, he has the added bonus of being considered 'canon' in the role, and the character has the built-in history. So, yes - personally, I'd rather see an aging but still capable Hasselhoff driving Kitt than some pop-out film star of today.

Hey, if the stunts and fight scenes are too much for David, perhaps Kitt could take a more central role instead!

Sarah

Knight Rider Archive · Post by **Knight Rider Archive** » Wed Jan 15, 2003 3:13 pm

personally, I'd rather see an aging but still capable Hasselhoff driving Kitt than some pop-out film star of today.

I've got to agree with that. I've always been an advocate for Hasselhoff still playing the part. I mean, why not? It worked for the Star Trek movies, and the characters ageing actually added more dimensions to them and the stories -- why not for Michael and K.I.T.T. (who already had problems with his "age" in the series -- see "Knight of the Juggernaut").

Also, Hasselhoff is around the same age as Pierce Brosnan, who is still a fantastic James Bond, physically capable and looking good in the part. And (board regulars will have heard me rant this before -- sorry!) Roger Moore and Sean Connery both played the part into their fifties, and there are plenty of other middle-aged action heroes out there (Schwarzenegger in Terminator 3, anyone?). I don't think the fact that he's 50 should deny us Riders the opportunity to see one of our favorite characters on the Silver Screen played by the actor that originated him!

- Paul
- Knight Rider Archive
- http://members.fortunecity.com/knightriders/

Post by **neps** » Wed Jan 15, 2003 5:05 pm

Knight Rider Archive wrote:
(Schwarzenegger in Terminator 3, anyone?)

You've got points Paul. Here are my counters: Have you seen Schwarzenegger in Terminator 3? It looks like his flesh is falling off, and im not talking about parts where it is supposed to! The terminator is a being incapable of aging, and here is this middle aged guy strutting around. I love Arnold, I'm a fan, and I realize that aging is part of the process. I just find it hard to believe him as a Cyborg anymore.

I do think Hasselhoff could pull off the part, and I too hope that he and kitt will be riding around properly. However, being the world of hollywood, and the type of movie this could turn out to be, Hasselhoff's days in the head saddle may be closing.

I'm not sure though, but how was Star Treks following prior to going to movie fandom? James Bond has a huge following. His story was an undercover agent of middle age. Knight Rider is about a young loner. (which could always change) Knight Rider has a small percentage of james bonds following, and if they want to get a large amount, the old forumals may not work here. I can see Hasselhoff being successful in the roll, many people his age are successful in Action. But it comes down to the target audence, do they want the 18-25 who spends alot of money at the movies or the 26 +. Thats gonna dictate the kind of picture they are going to make. And that will also dictate the size of Hasselhoffs on screen "roll."

just my .02, please don't shoot me for it.

regards,

neil

Post by **Matthew** » Wed Jan 15, 2003 5:42 pm

I personnaly cant imagine anyone else driving Kitt. I've tried a few times, and i keep coming back to the same conclusion. For it to truly be Knight Rider, it must star David Hasslehoff, showing us he can still play the part. David to me is the only man capable of playing Michael Knight, and being the lead in a Knight Rider Film. I just hope Revolution, and/or David know the wishes of the KR community, and let us see the film that most if not all of us KR fans truly wish to see.

From Matthew

Knight Rider movie rumor: Possible lead actor

Knight Rider movie rumor: Possible lead actor

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