One of the weirdest things about movie reporting in the age of social media is the fact that publicity for the film often begins before the damn thing is in the can. We saw it with Suicide Squad, and certain filmmakers like James Gunn are particularly good at balancing fan engagement with studio secrecy, but one of the most socially pumped-up films in recent memory is the upcoming Baywatch remake. Thanks to a cast full of active social media presences -- led by social media maestro Dwayne Johnson with his 52+ million instagram followers -- Baywatch has been getting a big boost since the first day of filming through on-set images, videos, and tweets.
Today, which is also exactly a year until Baywatch lands in theaters on May 19, 2017, Johnson has announced a wrap on Baywatch production, and to celebrate the occasion, or #Bayday to keep this article on brand, Paramount has released the first official cast photo. Which is crazy because we have seen so many cast photos already. But now, you can get a high-res look at the protectors of the bay in the new image below.
Directed by Seth Gordon of Horrible Bosses, Baywatch tells of Johnson’s by-the-books lifeguard, Mitch, who has to team up with Efron’s hotshot, Matt, in order to stop an oil tycoon from destroying their beach. Baywatch also stars Alexandra Daddario (San Andreas) as Summer, model Kelly Rohrbach as C.J. Parker (originally played by Pamela Anderson), and Billions actress Ilfenesh Hadera as Mitch’s love interest, Stephanie Holden. Quantico star Priyanka Chopra plays the villain, with Jack Kesy (The Strain) and Amin Joseph (G.I. Joe: Retaliation) in unspecified roles. And, bonus, the OG Mitch (David Hasselhoff) and C.J. (Pamela Anderson) will definitely be donning the red suits for an appearance.
