Screenwriters Tom Lennon and Robert Ben Garant are no strangers to the studio-pitched franchise, as their alternately tumultuous forays with “Herbie: Fully Loaded” and “Night at the Museum” have exhibited. It's a testament then to their combined versatility that they are able to switch gears abruptly, having recently finished production on their co-directed horror comedy “Hell Baby,” and as that film is being tweaked in post, one-half of the duo has decided to carry on directing with a familiar vibe to their past projects.
As both co-creator and star of Comedy Central's hit series “Reno: 911!,” Garant is well worn to the idea of comedic subversion to a real-life occupation, and so it's only natural that Paramount Pictures has chosen the director for their long-gestating “Baywatch” reboot. The project's script has transferred hands many times over the past three years, but finally Peter Tolan – best-known for creating the FX series “Rescue Me” – will claim the final draft, with likely a few suggestions from Garant sneaking in there as well.
The original David Hasselhoff/Pamela Anderson series, known primarily for its tight wardrobe and self-serious characterizations, remains prime for a new approach, and while Paramount has largely pinned their hopes on snagging Justin Timberlake for a lead role, they might want to delve into other potential aspects. However, Garant has proven himself capable of creating enjoyable mainstream successes at the script stage, so hopefully he'll be able to steer this project away from a complete trainwreck through his directorial ability. [Vulture]
