'Baywatch' to have big screen splash in 2006

'Baywatch' to have big screen splash in 2006

Baywatch

MUMBAI: This is good new for fans of the sun, sand and surf television show Baywatch.

Dreamworks has reportedly paid a seven-figure (US dollar) amount for the rights to make a film based on the show. The announcement was made by FremantleMedia and its partners the series creators Michael Berk, Doug Schwartz and Greg Bonann.

FremantleMedia produced the series for 10 years from 1991 to 2001 and oversaw its syndication into 142 countries and 44 languages. In India the show airs on Star World.

FremantleMedia North America CEO Tom Gutteridge added, "We are thrilled that DreamWorks has recognised the potential of Baywatch as a perfect entertainment brand. I am sure that Baywatch fans the world over will equally look forward to its appearance on the big screen."

The studio will put the film immediately into development, but has given no indication of whether any of the original cast members from the series will be involved. DreamWorks' Michelle Berk is the film's executive producer and Eli Roth is the co-producer.

The television series made household names out of David Haselhoff, Pamela Anderson and Carmen Elektra. It remains to be seen as to whether they will also star in the film.