Baywatch is a 2017 action comedy film based on the popular television series of the same name. The film follows a team of lifeguards led by the veteran Mitch Buchannon, played by Dwayne Johnson, as they investigate a drug trafficking ring operating in their beach. The film also features Zac Efron as Matt Brody, a former Olympic swimmer and new recruit to the lifeguard team, and Alexandra Daddario as Summer Quinn, another lifeguard and love interest of Brody.
The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the chemistry between the lead actors and the self-aware humor, while others criticized the raunchy and over-the-top nature of the comedy. However, it was a commercial success, grossing over $177 million worldwide against a budget of $69 million.
Baywatch features several action set pieces and comedic moments, with a particular emphasis on the physical abilities and charm of Dwayne Johnson’s character. The film also includes several nods to the original television series, including cameos from former cast members David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson.
Overall, Baywatch is a light-hearted and entertaining film that doesn’t take itself too seriously. While it may not be a cinematic masterpiece, it provides plenty of laughs and action-packed moments for fans of the genre.
Cast
The cast of Baywatch (2017) includes:
- Dwayne Johnson as Mitch Buchannon
- Zac Efron as Matt Brody
- Alexandra Daddario as Summer Quinn
- Kelly Rohrbach as C.J. Parker
- Ilfenesh Hadera as Stephanie Holden
- Jon Bass as Ronnie Greenbaum
- Priyanka Chopra as Victoria Leeds
- Hannibal Buress as Dave the Tech
- Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Sgt. Garner Ellerbee
- Rob Huebel as Captain Thorpe
- Belinda Peregrín as Carmen
- David Hasselhoff as The Mentor
- Pamela Anderson as Casey Jean Parker (uncredited cameo)
These actors play various characters in the film, with Johnson, Efron, and Daddario serving as the main protagonists. Chopra plays the film’s primary antagonist, while Hasselhoff and Anderson make brief appearances as a nod to their roles in the original television series.
Production
Baywatch (2017) was directed by Seth Gordon and produced by Ivan Reitman, Tom Pollock, Beau Flynn, and Douglas Schwartz. The film was written by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift, with a story by Jay Scherick, David Ronn, Thomas Lennon, and Robert Ben Garant.
The film was shot primarily on location in Florida, with additional filming taking place in Georgia and California. The production used the original lifeguard tower from the original television series for some of the beach scenes.
The film’s budget was reported to be $69 million, and it was distributed by Paramount Pictures. The production team faced some challenges during filming, including a boat accident involving Johnson and the cast and crew being temporarily stranded on an island due to bad weather.
Baywatch was released on May 25, 2017, and was marketed as a summer blockbuster. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, the film was a commercial success, grossing over $177 million worldwide at the box office.
Reviews
Baywatch (2017) received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 18% based on 221 reviews, with an average rating of 3.8/10. The site’s critical consensus reads: “Baywatch takes its source material’s jiggle factor to R-rated levels, but lacks the original’s campy charm — and leaves its charming stars flailing in the shallows.”
On Metacritic, the film has a score of 37 out of 100 based on 47 reviews, indicating “generally unfavorable reviews”.
Some critics praised the chemistry between the lead actors and the film’s self-aware humor, while others criticized the over-the-top and raunchy nature of the comedy. The film’s action sequences and nods to the original television series were also noted. However, many critics felt that the film lacked the campy charm and fun of the original series, and that it failed to capture the same spirit.
Despite the mixed reviews from critics, the film was a commercial success, grossing over $177 million worldwide against a budget of $69 million.
Where are they now?
Here’s a brief update on what some of the main cast members of Baywatch (2017) are up to now:
- Dwayne Johnson has continued to be a prominent figure in Hollywood, starring in blockbuster films such as Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Rampage, and Hobbs & Shaw. He is set to star in several upcoming films, including Black Adam and Red Notice.
- Zac Efron has also continued to act in films, appearing in projects such as The Greatest Showman, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, and Scoob!. He is set to star in the upcoming Disney+ series Three Men and a Baby.
- Alexandra Daddario has appeared in several films and television series since Baywatch, including We Summon the Darkness, Lost Girls & Love Hotels, and Why Women Kill. She is set to star in the upcoming film Die in a Gunfight.
- Kelly Rohrbach has appeared in several films and television series since Baywatch, including A Rainy Day in New York, Billions, and Paradise City.
- Ilfenesh Hadera has appeared in several films and television series since Baywatch, including The Blacklist, She’s Gotta Have It, and Godfather of Harlem.
- Priyanka Chopra has continued to act in both Indian and American films and television series, including The White Tiger, The Sky Is Pink, and The Matrix Resurrections. She is set to star in several upcoming projects, including the romantic comedy Text for You and the spy thriller Citadel.
Overall, the cast members of Baywatch have continued to have successful careers in the entertainment industry, with many appearing in a variety of different projects.
Fun facts
Here are some fun facts about Baywatch (2017):
- Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron trained together for their roles as lifeguards, with Johnson sharing videos of their intense workouts on social media.
- The film’s premiere was held in Miami Beach, Florida, in a special event that included a red carpet and a beach party.
- David Hasselhoff, who starred in the original television series, has a cameo in the film as “The Mentor,” a lifeguard who offers advice to Johnson’s character.
- The film’s production used over 3000 gallons of sunscreen during filming to protect the cast and crew from the Florida sun.
- Alexandra Daddario, who plays lifeguard Summer Quinn in the film, has said in interviews that she took swimming lessons for the role and learned how to perform CPR.
- Priyanka Chopra’s character, Victoria Leeds, was originally written as a male villain. However, the producers decided to change the character to female and cast Chopra in the role.
- During a scene in which the characters are running in slow motion on the beach, a group of women in the background can be seen taking a selfie.
- The film includes several nods to the original television series, including the use of the theme song and cameo appearances by David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson.
- The film was banned in Iran due to its depictions of “vulgar American culture” and “scantily-clad women.”
- A sequel to the film was initially planned, but it was later cancelled due to the film’s mixed critical reception and underwhelming box office performance.
Box office
Baywatch (2017) was made with a reported budget of $69 million. The film was released on May 25, 2017, and grossed $23.1 million domestically in its opening weekend, which was below expectations. However, the film performed better overseas, grossing $116.9 million internationally for a total worldwide gross of $177 million.
Despite not meeting box office expectations, the film was still a financial success due to its lower budget and international earnings. The film’s success was attributed to its cast and the popularity of the original television series, as well as its release as a summer blockbuster. However, a planned sequel to the film was later cancelled due to its mixed critical reception and underwhelming box office performance.
