One of the longest-running and most popular TV series ever, Baywatch made huge stars of its cast; not least, Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra and of course, David Hasselhoff, who also produced the show from the early 90s until the show ended in 2001. Given the popularity the show had, a big screen adaptation was almost inevitable. It’s been a long time coming but things are finally underway with the Baywatch movie - and maybe the wait is just as well, since the new Baywatch movie will have the benefit of nostalgia to lure fans into watching.

Filming for the movie has started already, with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson starring as Mitch Buchannon, alongside Zac Efron, Alexandra Daddario, Priyanka Chopra, and Hannibal Buress. Kelly Rohrbach takes on the role of C.J. Parker, originally made famous by Pamela Anderson. Johnson has been busy sharing photos from the set on all his social media channels and now he’s posted a video confirming news we had all hoped for: David Hasselhoff will make an appearance in the Baywatch movie.

“I was born ready!” yells the Hoff in a video call, when Johnson asks if he’s prepared for the movie and, true to the usual lighthearted social media posts that Johnson makes, he describes the Baywatch movie as an R-rated “combination of The Avengers and Anchorman.” He also promises/ forewarns (delete as applicable) of the Hoff getting in some slo-mo running down the beach in an homage to the original opening Baywatch credits and, indeed, plenty of shots from many episodes.

You can watch that video, below:

“I WAS BORN READY!” Pleasure to officially welcome the original #BAYWATCH gangsta himself David Hasselhoff to our movie! #BAYWATCH is the most successful TV show of all time and from the day we announced we were turning it into a movie, “The Hoff” has been our greatest supporter. Especially once he knew our RATED R movie was going to be a combination of AVENGERS meets ANCHORMAN….Hoff’s a cool dude who’s down to have fun and here’s the best part.. He’s been training his ass off and gotten in the best shape he’s been in in years! (cue slo-mo running and glistening chest hair.. wait, why the f*ck am I even thinking about Hoff’s chest hair!?) World get ready.. #RockAndHoff #ThereAintNoBay #WithoutTheHoff A video posted by therock (@therock) on Mar 2, 2016 at 6:45pm PST

In actual fact, the plot details for the Baywatch movie sound not dissimilar to something the TV show would have thrown up, and in all honesty, that’s probably the best route for the movie to take. While Johnson takes on the Hoff’s original role of the sensible, trust-worthy chief Lifeguard, Efron plays Matt Brody, a new lifeguard in town described as a “rule-flouting hot-head.” Though they take an instant dislike to each other, they must join forces when they “uncover a local criminal plot that threatens the future of the Bay.”

Seth Gordon (Horrible Bosses) directs the movie from a screenplay that has received several workings, most recently written by Damian Shannon & Mark Swift (Friday the 13th) and Barry Schwartz. Beau Flynn (Hercules), Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters), and Michael Berk, Doug Schwartz and Greg Bonann, creators of the Baywatch television series, are producing, with Eli Roth as co-producer.

News of the Hoff’s appearance in the film will give a huge boost to the movie, which has been described as an homage to the original show. For many, the Hoff is Baywatch, and while he will not be playing Mitch this time around, it really wouldn’t be the same without him. It might also pave the way for other stars to return in some capacity, too. Pamela Anderson has revealed to EW that she’s been asked, but added that she turned down what they were offering. However, she’s still not ruling out making an appearance.

Meanwhile, filming for the movie continues in Miami and Savannah.

Baywatch opens in U.S. theaters on May 19th, 2017.

Source: Dwayne Johnson, EW