By Anika Nale

(L-R) Jon Bass plays Ronnie, Alex Daddario plays Summer, Zac Efron plays Matt Brody, Dwayne Johnson plays Mitch Buchannon, Kelly Rohrbach plays CJ Parker, and Ilfenesh Hadera plays Stephanie Holden in BAYWATCH; the film by Paramount Pictures
(L-R) Jon Bass plays Ronnie, Alex Daddario plays Summer, Zac Efron plays Matt Brody, Dwayne Johnson plays Mitch Buchannon, Kelly Rohrbach plays CJ Parker, and Ilfenesh Hadera plays Stephanie Holden in BAYWATCH; the film by Paramount Pictures. Photo courtesy of: United International Pictures

Baywatch is an American TV series that aired in the early 90s. Its signature opening scene and theme song with Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff running along the beach in slow motion is nostalgic to many.

However, this year, American film director Seth Gordon, who is well-known for movies such as Horrible Bosses and Identity Thief is rebooting and modernizing this classic series.

“The history of the show is to showcase beauty,” said Gordon.

The reboot film stars Hollywood hunks, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Zac Efron, who take on the roles of lifeguards Mitch Buchannon and Matt Brody who are intent on saving the day just before sunset. These two are iconic characters from the original ’90s TV series, and were originally played by David Hasselhoff and David Charvet.

The film stars Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron as the two main cast.
The film stars Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron as the two main cast. Photo courtesy of: United International Pictures

Bollywood actress, Priyanka Chopra, plays the film’s antagonist, Victoria Leeds. This is Chopra’s debut Hollywood film.

Millennials and young adults will be excited to see both The Rock and Zac Efron shirtless and running along the beach. Original TV series fans will also enjoy this movie as David Hasselhoff himself will cameo in the adaptation.

“My mom watched the original series back in the day, so when I told her that ‘Baywatch is screening again’, she was shocked as she knows that David and the whole cast are her age too! Nonetheless, we are watching it together!” said Thurayya Roslan, 19, student.

When asked if movie-goers should expect to see her in the film, Pamela Anderson, who played CJ Parker in the original series, declined the role and said that “no one appreciates the remakes,”. Nevertheless, newcomer Kelly Rohrbach is ready and set to fill in her role.

Alexandra Daddario, who starred in 2015 film, San Andreas, with Dwayne Johnson is part of the star-studded cast of this remake.

Apart from the released film synopsis and trailers, the cast has shared bits and pieces of the movie through Instagram.The Rock himself has shared countless pictures of himself in iconic skintight, bright red lifeguard costumes with his cast.

So don’t worry about having a heart attack because both The Rock and Zac Efron actually took first aid courses in preparation for the movie!

Opens in theatres: Jun 1.