Val Kilmer is to provide the voice of talking car Kitt in the TV movie remake of the 1980s series Knight Rider, trade magazine Variety says.
He replaces Will Arnett, star of comedy Arrested Development, who pulled out after a row over motor company Ford's sponsorship of the film, Variety adds.
It said Ford's rival, General Motors, asked him to step down because he had voiced adverts for the firm.
The film is due to air on the NBC network in the US on 17 February.
Guest appearance
Arnett told Variety he had been "very excited" about voicing the part of Kitt, which he had already recorded.
"However, because of a long relationship with General Motors as the voice of GMC Trucks, I had to respectfully withdraw from the project," he added.
Bourne Identity director Doug Liman is executive producer of the pilot, which will lead to a TV series if successful.
Soap actor Justin Bruening, 28, stars as the son of David Hasselhoff's original character, Michael Knight.
Hasselhoff will also make a guest appearance, reprising his career-making role.
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