"Dolphin Tale" Begins Production with Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd

Press release:

“Dolphin Tale” is Underway

Morgan Freeman, Harry Connick, Jr. and Ashley Judd Lead the Cast in the Inspiring True-Life Story

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Principal photography has begun on Alcon Entertainment’s “Dolphin Tale,” inspired by the remarkable true story of a courageous dolphin named Winter and the compassionate people who banded together to save her life.

The film stars Academy Award® winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”), recording artist and actor Harry Connick Jr., award-winning actress Ashley Judd, and music and movie legend Kris Kristofferson. The main cast also features young actor Nathan Gamble (“Marley & Me”) and newcomer Cozi Zuehlsdorff, as well as the actual Winter, who plays herself in the movie.

“Dolphin Tale” is being directed by Charles Martin Smith (“Air Bud”) and produced by Alcon Entertainment’s Broderick Johnson and Andrew A. Kosove (Oscar® nominees for “The Blind Side”) and Richard Ingber. Robert Engelman and Steven P. Wegner are serving as executive producers. The screenplay is by Karen Janszen, Noam Dromi, Charles Martin Smith and Jordan Roberts.

In announcing the start of production, producers Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove stated, “The real Winter has served as an example of courage, perseverance and hope to people around the world, and we’re hoping that the movie about her extraordinary rescue and recovery will also inspire, as well as entertain, audiences everywhere.”

Producer Richard Ingber added, “We are very excited to be filming ‘Dolphin Tale’ at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, the very place where her story unfolded. And we are also thrilled to be working with Charlie and our amazing cast. But, without a doubt, Winter is the one who has captured all our hearts. She is a star in every sense of the word.”

Collaborating with Charles Martin Smith behind the scenes are director of photography Karl Walter Lindenlaub (“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”), editor Harvey Rosenstock (“Lottery Ticket”) and costume designer Hope Hanafin (“[500] Days of Summer”).

“Dolphin Tale” is being filmed on location in Florida, including Clearwater Marine Aquarium, whose motto is “Rescue, Rehabilitate and Return.”

Slated for release on September 16, 2011, “Dolphin Tale” will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.