Normally, the thought of a movie reboot of a popular '90s TV show would garner a chorus of eye rolls. On paper, a film based on Baywatch feels like just another recycled Hollywood project that won't do justice to the original, which — considering the original was not exactly that great to begin with — is basically circling the bottom of the drain.
But then we got the casting notice. And then we got excited.
According to Variety, two big names have been cast as slo-mo lifeguards: The Rock, and Zac Efron. The Rock, a.k.a. Dwayne Johnson, will presumably take on the David Hasselhoff role, while Efron is thisclose to securing a deal to get his adorable self in some red trunks. Michael Bergin, David Chokachi, David Charvet, and Billy Warlock, eat your heart out.
Paramount is pitching the Seth Gordon-directed reboot as a comedy. Sure enough, the pairing of Johnson and Efron sounds highly promising, particularly if they follow 21 Jump Street's model of not ripping off the original characters and plots completely. Before we start crooning "I'll Be Ready (To Hit The Theater)," though, we reserve the right to let our interest wane if the rest of the cast is rounded out by Playboy models playing up the dumb blonde stereotype. We know Amy Schumer has some major Jet Ski skills — what say you, producers?
OPENER IMAGE: FremantleMedia Ltd/REX USA.
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