Winter's Fight Is Not Yet Over in “DOLPHIN TALE 2”

Warner Bros. Pictures and Alcon Entertainment’s “Dolphin Tale 2” continues the story of the brave dolphin Winter, whose miraculous rescue and rehabilitation—thanks to the invention of a groundbreaking prosthetic tail—made her a symbol of perseverance to people around the world and inspired the 2011 family hit movie “Dolphin Tale.”

The film reunites the entire main cast, including Harry Connick, Jr., Ashley Judd, Nathan Gamble, Kris Kristofferson, Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Austin Stowell, Austin Highsmith and Oscar winner Morgan Freeman. The remarkable dolphin Winter returns as herself, joined by a new dolphin named Hope. Charles Martin Smith, who directed “Dolphin Tale,” wrote and directed the sequel.

Several years have passed since young Sawyer Nelson and the dedicated team at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA), headed by Dr. Clay Haskett, rescued Winter, a young dolphin who lost her tail after being entangled in a crab trap. With the help of Dr. Cameron McCarthy, who developed a unique prosthetic tail for Winter, they saved her life against all odds. In turn, she helped save the Aquarium—as people came from far and wide to see the courageous dolphin firsthand, enabling CMA to expand their mission to Rescue, Rehabilitate and, when possible, Release injured animals.

Yet their fight is not over. Winter’s surrogate mother, the elderly dolphin Panama, passes away, leaving Winter alone and grieving, unwilling to engage with anyone, even her best friend, Sawyer. However, the loss of Panama may have even greater repercussions for CMA. The USDA warns Clay they will have to move Winter from the Aquarium because regulations require these social creatures to be paired. If they don’t find a female companion for her—one that she accepts—CMA will lose their beloved Winter.

But as time runs out, there may still be Hope…

“Dolphin Tale 2” stars Harry Connick, Jr. as Dr. Clay Haskett; Ashley Judd as Sawyer’s mom, Lorraine; Nathan Gamble as Sawyer Nelson; Kris Kristofferson as Clay’s father, Reed Haskett; Cozi Zuehlsdorff as Clay’s daughter, Hazel; Austin Stowell as Sawyer’s cousin, Kyle; Austin Highsmith as Winter’s lead trainer, Phoebe; and Morgan Freeman as Dr. Cameron McCarthy. Champion surfer Bethany Hamilton, who herself has been an example of courage, joins the ensemble, playing herself in the film.

Oscar nominees Andrew A. Kosove and Broderick Johnson (“The Blind Side”) produced the film, together with Richard Ingber, who brought the original project to the Company, and Steven P. Wegner. David Yates and Robert Engelman served as executive producers.

The behind-the-scenes creative team included director of photography Daryn Okada, production designer David J. Bomba, editor Harvey Rosenstock, and costume designer Hope Hanafin. The score was composed by Oscar winner Rachel Portman (“Emma”).

“Dolphin Tale 2” was filmed at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, the non-profit rescue and rehabilitation facility that Winter and now Hope call home, as well as the surrounding areas of Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg, Florida.

Opening across the Philippines on Oct. 01, 2014, “Dolphin Tale 2” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company.