Arnett continues to creep up

Will Arnett (left, with Andrew Daly) portrays an ex-player turned announcer in the Will Ferrell comedy "Semi-Pro."

Will Arnett has become the go-to guy for uncomfortably intense characters like Lou Redwood, the former player turned color man he portrays in "Semi-Pro," which opened Friday. You'll see him, or at least hear his voice, in a slew of upcoming projects including "Horton Hears a Who!" and "G-Force," and there's even talk of reviving the much-missed "Arrested Development" for the big screen. One place you won't hear him: the pilot for "Knight Rider." Arnett had completed work as the voice of K.I.T.T., a Ford Mustang, when he was replaced because he has done voice-over work for GMC Trucks. We caught up with him at B.C.'s Conte Forum promoting "Semi-Pro" and the "Funny or Die Comedy Tour."

Q. You've come to play a certain kind of character - very intense, often creepy. Is that something that you enjoy, or is that something that, somebody hands you a script and you go, not another one of these?

A. A little bit of both. I guess maybe coming off "Arrested Development" that sort of became the knock that, all right, great, Arnett doesn't mind playing the [jerk] or the creepy guy. And I will say that there is something about that kind of character that I find funny - that really dumb, confident [type]; the guy who's totally in the wrong, who's morally questionable, and yet is so strong in his convictions, and the audience is never on this guy's side.

Q. There are rumors about an "Arrested Development" movie.

A. It's something that we're talking about, for sure. I have talked about it with different people who were involved with the show, and for the most part, it seems like everybody's warm to the idea. I mean, we had such a great time making the show, and I have such really - it sounds so stupid - but fond memories.

Q. Was it frustrating to lose the voice of K.I.T.T. because of a contract?

A. Yeah. Sometimes stuff like that happens and there's nothing you can do about it. But no harm, no foul. I wish them all the best of luck. . . . It would have been fun.

NICK A. ZAINO III