Manuel here to bring great news to fans of 90s TV shows and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. I know you’re out there!
Not to be outdone in this week’s “craziest Hollywood pitch ideas finally being developed” (coughTetriscough), Paramount has announced that it’s moving forward with its long-gestating Baywatch film adaptation with none other than Johnson himself, he of great box office power when paired with an established brand, in talks to star. May we hope this turns out to be more Charlie’s Angels than Bewitched? More Mission:Impossible than The A-Team? In true 21 Jump Street fashion, it seems they’re going for comedy, as they’ve hired Sean Anders and John Morris, of We are the Millers fame. If the film truly embraces its own kitsch appeal and zeroes in on 90s nostalgia, it might make for an interesting... no, I can't even finish that sentence.
That said, I’m burying the lede because we all know the next bit of news should this movie stop moving forward and actually start, you know, casting and shooting, will be about who will fill in for Pamela Anderson as the requisite bombshell beauty who’ll most likely be described by casting agents and directors alike as “a strong kick-ass” character.
So, let the name-tossing begin. Who would you cast to don the iconic red swimsuit? Which actress do you think could be the new CJ Parker (or better yet, the new Stephanie Holden)? Or, if we wanna go more the Magic Mike route, who are you hoping will skimp on wearing shirts and join Johnson at the beach? And yes, amuse me with your left-field choices because the cynic in me knows the same three names will be bandied about soon enough.