Baywatch Reboot: No Jokes, Just Waves of Nostalgia

A revival of the popular 1990s television series Baywatch is in development, with Burn Notice creator Matt Nix and director McG leading the project. The new series is being designed as a continuation of the original rather than a parody. McG has expressed a desire to respect the franchise, stating that while the original series had its corny moments, it was successful because it took itself seriously.

Stephen Amell is slated to portray Captain Hobie, the grown-up son of David Hasselhoff's original character. Actor David Chokachi, who was part of the original Baywatch for three seasons, is also returning. This focus on continuity suggests a tone similar to the original show, which could pave the way for appearances from other original cast members.

This direction sharply contrasts with the 2017 Baywatch film adaptation. That movie, featuring Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron, leaned heavily into comedy and jokes at the expense of the source material. Despite a moderate box office performance, the film was critically panned, and its stars have since expressed negative sentiments about their involvement. The new series, however, aims for a more respectful and engaging narrative, akin to Nix's previous work on the action-packed yet humorous spy series Burn Notice.