Arts & Entertainment

Harry Connick Jr. and Crew Coming Back to Area For 'Dolphin Tale 2'

Stars including Morgan Freeman, Harry Connick Jr., and Ashley Judd signed on to reprise their roles for "Dolphin Tale 2." Will they visit Dunedin?

This story was reported and written by Patch Local Editor Jared Leone.

All the cast from the first "Dolphin Tale" movie will be part of the sequel, which will be filmed in Clearwater and other parts of the state — maybe even Dunedin.

David Yates confirmed Friday stars including Morgan Freeman, Harry Connick Jr., and Ashley Judd signed on to reprise their roles for "Dolphin Tale 2." 

"You rarely have sequels on real-life movies," Yates said.

Connick Jr. was a regular at Dunedin's Casa Tina Mexican restaurant during filming of the first movie in 2011.

(See also: Where Should Harry Dine in Dunedin for 'Dolphin Tale 2' Filming?)

Yates and Gov. Rick Scott talked about the impact $5 million from the state would be to bolster the fledgling movie's budget at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium on Friday. 

The aquarium and Winter's story of perseverance have a proven track record, Scott said. 

"Odds are we'll get a great return," he said. "Films can work. We just need to make sure we get a return... That's what's fair to the taxpayers."

Scott talked about the job creation for the production of the movie as well as after when tourists come to the state in search of Winter. 

"It's a great day to have a sequel," Scott said, adding that he looks forward to watching the second movie with his grandchildren.

The movie introduces Hope, a dolphin found rescued the night Dolphin Tale premiered, Yates said. 

There also will be other real-life elements not told in the first movie, he said.

Filming is expected from mid-October to January with an anticipated opening in September 2014. 

That is almost three years since Winter's story was first made into a movie. 


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