Back to the beach! After voicing initial skepticism over the upcoming Baywatch movie, Pamela Anderson has finally agreed to appear in the reboot of the iconic 1990s TV show that made her famous.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (who takes over for David Hasselhoff as Mitch Buchannon in the film) made the exciting announcement via Instagram on Thursday, April 21.
“She introduced the world to ‘CJ Parker’ and became one of the most iconic characters of a generation — for the most successful TV show of all time,” Johnson, 43, wrote alongside a photo of himself and the 48-year-old blonde bombshell.
“A pleasure to welcome (as gorgeous as ever) Pamela Anderson to our #BAYWATCH cast,” he continued. “We couldn’t have made this movie without you. Welcome home. Thrilled you had a blast with us! #BAYWATCH MAY 19, 2017. #PamAnderson #OS #OriginalSmokestack.”
Anderson has clearly had a change of heart. In March 2016, the Canadian-born beauty told Harper’s Bazaar that she wasn’t interested in taking part in the highly anticipated remake.
“I don’t like remakes of TV shows, and I kind of want to leave it as is and be remembered for that,” she explained to the fashion magazine. “I don’t know if I want to go on Baywatch and be, like, the old lady working at a counter somewhere.”
During an April 1 appearance on The Wendy Williams Show, Anderson —who appeared on Baywatch from 1992 to 1997 — revealed that there was a standoff regarding compensation for her participation in the series’ silver screen adaptation.
“They made me an offer to come on to it, but it was for, like, for half of what they would pay me for, like, an episodic thing, and I said, ‘I would love to be a part of it because I think it’s so great that it’s finally happening,’” she said on the talk show. “And it’s a compliment that they want me so bad on it … I would love to do it. They have some cute ideas … They can offer me something respectable.”
Details about the former Playboy Playmate’s cameo in the Baywatch movie remain unknown. Model Kelly Rohrbach will be playing CJ Parker, the role that Anderson originated. Hasselhoff, 63, will also make an appearance in the film.
The movie, which has been shooting for months in Miami and Savannah, Georgia, also stars heartthrob Zac Efron and Quantico’s Priyanka Chopra.
Baywatch fans can enter to win an all-expenses-paid visit to the movie’s set — which includes a chance to meet The Rock in person! — by bidding on the experience created by IfOnly.com.
Baywatch hits theaters May 19, 2017.
