Just when you thought it was to go back in the water, another Baywatch is around the corner.
Deadline recently broke the story that “Fremantle has been developing a reboot of the classic beach drama series,” which is currently being shopped around to different networks and streaming services.
At the time of writing, no creatives are attached to the project, and no word if any of the original stars will return.
In its original reporting, Deadline notes that Fremantle International COO Bob McCourt has always wanted this reboot but has had some hesitations. “I think we thought the film might have given us reason to reboot the TV series, but given the mixed reviews, that didn’t happen straight away,” says McCourt. “I think if this remastered version is sold extensively and a new audience comes to Baywatch, then it will give us a real indication as to whether a new series could be successful.”
The Baywatch IP is quite interesting, as it has had an up-and-down history since the beginning. Initially created by Michael Berk, Douglas Schwartz, and Gregory J. Bonann, Baywatch ran for one season at NBC before it was canned. Baywatch producers bought back the rights and produced a syndicated version with All American Television, which would save the show. It would later become the most-watched television series in the world, with a weekly audience of over 1.1 billion viewers. Despite the consistently negative critical reviews, it ran in syndication from 1991 to 2001 and had a reunion titled Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding in 2003.
We’d also see a big-budget studio movie remake starring Zac Efron and Dwayne Johnson in 2017. Paramount Pictures’ Baywatch only grossed $177 million worldwide and received negative reviews from critics, leading to received five nominations at the 38th Golden Raspberry Awards.
Fremantle is likely trying to ride on the trend of 1980s and 1990s classic IP getting rebooted for a modern audience, which has seen mixed results.
Originally published April 16, 2023. Updated April 17, 2023.
