A "Baywatch" movie couldn't exist without a big, strong and sexy star who spends most of his time shirtless. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson fit that description perfectly.
Johnson confirmed his role and the movie rumors in an Instagram post on Oct. 2. He sat shirtless on a jet ski while flashing the "hang loose" hand gesture.
"'This is my beach b****!' Rumors are true... we're making #BAYWATCH the movie. Edgy, raunchy, hopefully, funny as all hell. Cue slo mo running on the beach... #WhoNeedsMouthToMouth #RedShortsBeHugginABrotha," Johnson captioned the pic.
The "Baywatch" TV series went off the air in 2001 and some original cast members returned for a TV movie "Baywatch: Hawiian Wedding" in 2003. Paramount Pictures has been working the last few years to stage a big-screen release, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
No other stars or cast members from the TV show have yet signed on to co-star with The Rock. Justin Malen will rewrite a script already developed and comedy writing duo Sean Anders and John Morris will direct. Screenwriters Peter Tolan and Jeremy Garelick previously wrote potential scripts for the movie adaptation.
The TV series celebrated its 25th anniversary on Sept. 22. "Baywatch" aired for 11 non-consecutive seasons. NBC originally cancelled the show about attractive lifeguards after one season in 1990, but star David Hasselhoff resurrected the series with creators and executive producers Michael Berk, Douglas Schwartz and Greg Bonann for first-run syndication in 1991.
Hasselhoff is filming a new movie "Killing Hasselhoff" in which he plays himself. He's posted several photos of him on set wearing his signature "Baywatch" lifeguard jacket.
