On the surface, the Baywatch movie from Paramount sounded like the usual freezer burnt idea to re-package a piece of recent pop culture with the intent to use name recognition to sell a project that no one in particular asked for in the first place. Since it’s the new operating mode for major studios, this didn’t seem like such a big deal. If it caused a groan, it was forgotten about a few moments later.
Then again, the presence of Rescue Me creator Peter Tolan as screenwriter was a curiosity. He’d proven his character sensibilities and ear for dark resonant comedy, so what was he doing with the buoy-stuffed red swimsuits? If that question was enough to keep a bit of faith, the announcement via Vulture that Reno 911! co-creator and Night at the Museum co-writer Robert Ben Garant will direct should be enough to make the project full-on interesting.
Granted, he’s got a bizarre directorial resume. His first was the firmly mainstream Herbie Fully Loaded, but he also helmed the Reno movie and Balls of Fury. Under the roof of a large studio, it seems more likely that his more experimental (Stately) ideas might be sanded down, but maybe the personnel involved is reason enough to be hopeful for something this ridiculous. His hiring also means that Thomas Lennon might play Pamela Anderson’s old role, right? Right?
