TheBaywatchmovie is one of those projects that has been kicking around Hollywood forever, looking for just the right team to tackle it head-on. That seems to be happening, withDwayne Johnsontaking the lead for Paramount. Yesterday, it wasannouncedthatZac Efronwill be The Rock’s co-star in the beachside action comedy. Shortly after word hit the Internet,Dwayne Johnsonsent out a few select Tweets of his own, with one big promise to moviegoers.
Yes, The Rock insists that this version ofBaywatchwill be Rated R, something fans have been hoping for. Some have been hesitant to share their excitement about the project, but now it sounds like Paramount might have a pretty strong franchise contender on its hands. The tone and sense of humor has been compared to21 Jump Streetand its sequel22 Jump Street. And it sounds likeCHiPs, which is being directed, written and co-starsDax ShepardalongsideMichael Pena, is taking the same route. Now that we knowBaywatchwill have an adult sense of humor, and won’t be a PG-13 outing, things are seeming even more hopeful.
The Hollywood Reporterrevealed yesterday thatZac Efron’s casting ensures the movie will start production in early 2016, most likely in February. The news comes just a few weeks afterSeth Gordon(Horrible Bosses) signed on to direct. At this time, no other cast has been confirmed. But we’re sure to hear of a bevy ofBaywatchbabes set to come aboard at any minute.
The story follows a “by-the-book and very serious lifeguard,” played byDwayne Johnsonwho joins forces with a “young rule-flouting hothead” (Zac Efron) to try and save their beach from environmental destruction by an oil tycoon.Damian ShannonandMark Swift(Friday the 13th) wrote the latest draft of the screenplay, which was originally written by Justin Malen. It isn’t known how many other major roles are left to be cast forBaywatch, but there have been rumors that originalBaywatchstarsDavid HasselhoffandPamela Andersonwill reprise their roles in cameo appearances.
While this adaptation is going to be much more comedic than the original TV series, which ran for 11 seasons between 1989 and 2001, spanning 243 episodes.Baywatchis also said to have plenty of action elements. It is said that if the right balance between comedy and action can be struck, that Paramount may have a new franchise on its hands, whenBaywatchhits theaters sometime in 2017. Are you looking forward toZac Efronteaming up withDwayne JohnsoninBaywatchnow that you know it will be R rated? We sure are! Check outDwayne Johnson’s tweets.
