DWAYNE 'THE ROCK' JOHNSON has emerged as the frontrunner to lead the cast of a new Baywatch movie.

The big screen adaptation of the hit 1980s Tv series, which featured Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff, is on the slate at Paramount and the action man is set to star, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Comedy kings Sean Anders and John Morris have signed on to direct the project.

Johnson has been linked to a Baywatch movie for years.

It's not known if any of the original Baywatch cast will be part of the big screen revamp.