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Alcon Entertainment is putting a Dolphin Tale sequel back in the waters and is reassembling the team behind the 2011 family film.
Director Charles Martin Smith is helming and wrote the script, and Harry Connick Jr. is in negotiations to reprise his role as Dr. Clay Haskett, who helps a dolphin whose tail was lost in a crab trap.
The film is scheduled to begin production in the fall.
Distributor Warner Bros. has set a Sept. 19, 2014, release date.
The original cast in its entirety is in negotiations to reunite for the sequel, including Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman and Kris Kristofferson.
As with the first film, Alcon’s Broderick Johnson and Andrew A. Kosove will produce the sequel. Alcon also will finance the film.
Dolphin Tale 2 will tell another true story inspired by the life of the dolphin, Winter, but also will involve a new baby dolphin named Hope who was rescued by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in 2010.
Winter, who still resides at the aquarium, played herself in the original film and will return in DT2, and Hope will play herself in the sequel.
The original, which centered on a boy who forms a friendship with the dolphin and cost $37 million, became a surprise hit for Alcon and distributor Warner Bros., earning $95 million worldwide. Ashley Judd, who starred as the boy’s mother, is expected to return, though talks have not yet commenced.
Smith is repped by APA.
Connick Jr. is handled by CAA.
Judd is represented by WME.
Email: Tatiana.Siegel@THR.com, Borys.Kit@THR.com; Twitter: @TatianaSiegel27, @Borys_Kit
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