Lead role cast in 'Knight Rider' remake

Rex Features

Justin Bruening has been named as the new star of the upcoming Knight Rider pilot.

The 28-year-old actor, best known in the States for his role in All My Children, will take on the lead role in the two-hour television movie, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Instead of playing Michael Knight and replacing original star David Hasselhoff, he will play the character's son.

News of the remake, supposedly inspired by the success of the reimagined Transformers movie, broke in late September. The pilot will be executive produced by The Bourne Supremacy director Doug Liman, with the direction from Englishman Steve Shill, who has previously helmed episodes of Dexter, The Sopranos and The Bill.