Baywatch is finally making its way back to television, but its first trailer has already sparked debate among fans of the iconic series. The original show became a global phenomenon in the 1990s, turning its lifeguards, red swimsuits, and slow-motion beach runs into pop-culture staples. Now, decades later, Fox is bringing the franchise back with a new generation of lifeguards ready to take over the shoreline.

Baywatch's first trailer opens with a dramatic rescue involving a plane and parasailers plunged into the ocean, before Stephen Amell’s Hobie Buchannon and his team leap into action. There are familiar red swimsuits, slow-motion beach runs, romantic entanglements, and plenty of high-stakes rescues. However, the preview has also drawn criticism, with some viewers questioning the reboot’s casting choices and its reliance on social media personalities.

Amell leads the new series as Hobie, the son of David Hasselhoff’s original character, Mitch Buchannon. The cast also includes Jessica Belkin as Hobie’s estranged daughter, Charlie, alongside Shay Mitchell, Hassie Harrison, Noah Beck, Brooks Nader, Thaddeus LaGrone, and Livvy Dunne. David Chokachi also returns as Cody Madison, connecting the new series to the original.

The reboot is scheduled to premiere on Fox in January 2027, with 12 episodes planned. It aims to revive the franchise’s blend of action, beachside drama, and complicated relationships for a new audience.

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But with the first trailer now out, the question is whether the revival can win over longtime viewers or whether the early backlash will follow it to the shore.

The trailer has received a mixed response, with some viewers welcoming the return of a familiar television staple while others are already calling for the reboot to be cancelled. Much of the criticism has centered on the casting of influencers and models, with fans questioning whether the new series can recapture what made the original such a lasting hit.

"It’ll be canceled after 1 season," wrote @nirvanicqueens on a Film Updates X post where the trailer was shared. Another said: "Two seasons and it'll be cancelled. The concept is played out. This show only worked back in the 90s when it was pure cheese."

Some fans even talked about how Sofia Vergara should have been cast on the same. "They should had cast Sofia Vergara," one of the users said. 

"No Pamela Anderson, no chance," said one user, wanting to have the old cast in than the new one.

Many even called it AI-looking, losing all hope even before the first season's release. "So bad it's bordering on AI slop without being AI," a user wrote.

With the strong reactions that have come in to the trailer release, it is very clear that Baywatch has really big shoes to fill for one of the most iconic franchises to ever exist. Whether that is pulled off or not is something that will be seen once it premieres in January 2027.

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Are you excited for Baywatch reboot? Let us know in the comments.