It must be the week for cult icons seeing their shows made into movies: after yesterday it was the Shat and TJ Hooker, today it’s the turn of The Hoff and Baywatch.
Yes, Baywatch. The show that made Pamela Anderson a star (thanks for that, then), launched the masturbatory fantasies of a million men and brought the world David Hasselhoff’s second big role after Knight Rider is getting a fresh shot at the big screen.
The tale of ridiculously buff lifeguards on Malibu beach originally pitched to DreamWorks seven years ago as a big budget, semi-serious action piece, but it got swallowed up by the riptides of Development Hell.
But now, one of the former DreamWorks executives who came to Paramount is getting it going again – but this time as a comedy.
Writer Jeremy Garelick, who most recently did a rewrite on The Hangover (so he’s getting plenty of work, then) has been given the job of re-writing – and directing, in a massive show of faith – a comedy version.
"It felt like the template to do a movie that was similar to 'Stripes' and 'Police Academy,' the comedies I loved growing up," Garelick tells the trade mag as the mention of Police Academy turns our veins cold.
"Rather than trying to pitch the tone, I figured it would be easier to write the first act to convey who these characters were.”
The new take will apparently see two new lifeguards – gawky sorts – trying to make it among the buff bods
But though we’re sure The Hoff will be grasping for a cameo, we just want Erika Eleniak back on our screens.
Do you want Baywatch back? Tell us!
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