Zac Efron will co-star with Dwayne Johnson in the Baywatch movie
When Channing Tatum parodied his heartthrob bro image in 21 Jump Street, it showed off his comedic versatility and increased his star profile. Now it looks like Zac Efron (Neighbors, That Awkward Moment) has found his own nostalgic meta TV show adaptation in Paramount Pictures’ Baywatch movie, which The Hollywood Reporter confirms he will co-star in alongside the previously-announced Dwayne Johnson.
Based on what was, throughout the ’90s, one of the most-watched TV shows in the world, the long-gestating Baywatch movie will be helmed by Seth Gordon (Horrible Bosses, Identity Thief) and star Johnson as a by-the-book lifeguard and Efron as a young hotshot lifeguard on patrol along the sexy, sunny beaches of Los Angeles County, California. Together they will save their beach from an oil tycoon’s planned environmental destruction, and much slow-motion running will ensue.
Although several writers have been attached to Baywatch, the most recent draft hails from the Friday the 13th pair of Damian Shannon and Mark Swift. Earlier reports suggested that the film will offer a comedy-heavy take that has little to do with the original series. Parts were reportedly written, however, for both Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff to reprise their roles. Whether or not that remains the plan is, at the moment, unconfirmed. As always, check back for updates as they become available.
After the success of Neighbors, Efron is on a bit of a comedy tear, with Dirty Grandpa (opposite Robert De Niro), Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates (opposite Anna Kendrick) and Neighbors 2 (reuniting him with Seth Rogen) all on the horizon for 2016.
(Photo credit: WENN)
