Imagine being a top-tier voice actor, known for bringing iconic characters to life, only to be sidelined by a corporate sponsorship deal. That’s exactly what happened to Will Arnett, a name synonymous with comedic genius and voice acting mastery. While Arnett’s talent has landed him roles like Gob Bluth in Arrested Development and Vernon Fenwick in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, there’s one legendary character he almost voiced—but didn’t, thanks to a behind-the-scenes clash of brands. And this is the part most people miss: it wasn’t about his skill; it was about business.
In 2008, NBC was rebooting the 1980s classic Knight Rider, with Justin Hartley stepping into David Hasselhoff’s shoes and Arnett set to voice the iconic talking car, K.I.T.T. (originally voiced by William Daniels). Arnett had already completed his work when trouble struck. Just weeks before the air date, General Motors caught wind of Arnett’s involvement. The issue? Arnett had been the voice of GMC Trucks for years, and now he was playing a Ford Mustang. Talk about a conflict of interest. Despite his enthusiasm for the role, Arnett had no choice but to step down.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Was it fair for Arnett to lose the role due to a sponsorship deal? Or should artists be allowed to work across competing brands without consequence? Let’s just say opinions are divided. Still, there’s a silver lining. Arnett’s departure led to a last-minute casting decision that stunned everyone: none other than Val Kilmer took over as K.I.T.T.’s voice. While Arnett missed out, his career hardly suffered.
As Arnett himself explained at the time, ‘I was very excited to play K.I.T.T., but my long-standing relationship with General Motors meant I had to respectfully withdraw.’ And honestly, it’s hard to feel too bad for him. Arnett remains one of the most sought-after voice actors in the industry, delivering everything from Batman’s iconic growl in The Lego Movie to the emotionally complex BoJack Horseman in Netflix’s acclaimed series. He even voiced the killer clown Sweet Tooth in Twisted Metal, proving his range knows no bounds. K.I.T.T. would’ve been a fun addition, but Arnett’s career clearly didn’t need it.
Meanwhile, the 2008 Knight Rider reboot? Not so lucky. While it led to a new TV series (with Kilmer continuing as K.I.T.T., uncredited), the show fizzled out after just one season. So, here’s the question: Was Arnett’s departure a missed opportunity for him, or did it ultimately save him from a sinking ship? Sound off in the comments—we want to hear your take!
