It’s been 11 years since the original Baywatch TV series ended (the Hawaii series ran for another two years, but was far less well received, and got cancelled in 2001, after The Hoff left the show in 2000), and ever since then there have been rumours of a big screen adaptation; especially since there have already been two made-for-TV films (1995’s Baywatch the Movie: Forbidden Paradise, and 2003’s Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding), and the fact that Dreamworks officially purchased the rights to make a feature length film back in 2004.
The movie adaptation has been slated to be a comedy for quite some time, with Jeremy Garelick (the man who wrote The Break-Up) previously attached to write the script, and it looks like it’s still heading in that direction; Paramount recently hired both Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka (the duo behind The Sitter; an upcoming comedy due to be released next year, and starring Jonah Hill of Superbad fame) to churn out a new script, which they hope to have in cinemas next year (actually trying to rush ahead of the previously scheduled 2012 release).
But despite planning a release next year, there’s still no director attached, and no official word on any cast members as yet; aside from Jessica Simpson (The Dukes of Hazzard), who was officially announced to be replacing Pamela Anderson as C.J. Parker some time ago and may not even be onboard anymore, and the all but guaranteed cameo from Mitch Buchannon (David Hasselhoff) himself; but the focus of the film is so far set to rest firmly with the ladies of the lifeguard squad this time around.
