Charles Martin Smith Hired to Write and Direct
Warner Bros.-Based Alcon Entertainment and Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) announce a major motion picture on Winter the dolphin. “A Dolphin Tale” is inspired by the true story of Winter. Winter was rescued off the east coast of Florida and was not expected to survive after losing her tail. Her story of survival has become an inspiration to people all over the world.
The movie version, from Warner Bros.- based Alcon Entertainment, is about a boy who befriends Winter, who lost her tail in a crab trap. The boy motivates everyone around him to help save Winter by creating a prosthetic attachment to replace the dolphin’s tail. The marine mammal’s strong survival instincts become an inspiration to people with life challenges throughout the world.
“We are very excited to bring this inspiring true story to the big screen – like THE BLIND SIDE, it fits squarely into the type of movie Alcon enjoys to make” stated Alcon’s co-founders and co-CEO’s Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson.
“We are excited to see Winter’s inspiring story reach the big screen”, said CMA CEO David Yates. “Alcon Entertainment and Warner Brothers are the perfect partner for this story, and we look forward to continuing to inspire millions of people around the world. Having someone with the experience and talents of Charles Martin Smith completes the team.”
Charles Martin Smith was hired to write and direct the film. Smith has experience with material concerning animals and kids, having directed the highly successful first “Air Bud” movie in 1997. The longtime actor and director, best known for his acting role in “American Graffiti” most recently directed “The Stone of Destiny.”
“Winter has been so inspirational to so many people, it’s an honor to be able to bring her story to the screen,” Smith said. “I have enormous respect for Alcon Entertainment and the excellent films they make, and the people at CMA have been so helpful and supportive. It’s a pleasure to be involved.”
Alcon Entertainment is run by co-founders and co-CEO’s Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson who will produce the film with Alcon’s Marketing President, Richard Ingber. Alcon’s latest release, “The Blind Side,” is currently the #1 movie in the U.S. and has made more than $130 million since its release last month. The movie stars Sandra Bullock. The company’s next release is the Denzel Washington action movie “The Book of Eli.”
Her amazing story is told in detail in Winter’s Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again, a book recently published by Scholastic, and in the film “Winter: The Dolphin that Could,” sold at www.SeeWinter.com. Winter is a dolphin that “never says never” and her story of survival inspires people all over the world. Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a working animal hospital dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of marine life.
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
I Love You, Winter!
I love u Winter!! and good luck making the movie!!
I was very inspired after seeing Winter’s story on the Bonnie Hunt show. Before this I had no idea about the story or the movie that is coming out.
I am an ex Navy Seal, so this story really hit home for me. To add to that this past May I had my right thumb amputated, because it was infected with cancer.
Since I have found out that companies such as those that made this back fin for Winter, could also make a prosthesis for me. I (have been told that it would work almost the same way the Fin works on Winter – by Suction. I didn’t believe them when they told me that my prosthesis would be held on by suction, and I could swim with it. I was skeptical when I was told this, but after seeing this story on Bonnie Hunt Show, and now visiting the site, I do believe.
I hope and pray that Winter will be able to keep progressing, and thank all of you for what you do.
Phil Johnson
So nice to hear your story. I am not sure if you are local but we would love to have you visit and personally meet Winter. Remember you can also watch her live on her webcam! Hope that you are well-you are in our thoughts.
I too was very inspired by Winter’s Story. People are truly wonderful in saving Winter and to fit her with the fin. My daughter is taking her zoology course, to one day be able to work in a aquarium, as we have been to quite a few, (San Diego Zoo and Aquarium, Sea Life Park in Waikiki, in the U.S., Marine Land in Niagara Falls, Canada, and Stanley Park Aquarium in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. My daughter is a lifeguard and she is taking her zoology right now, and she is working very hard for this, as she loves the water and animals. I will be showing her this website and the Bonnie Hunt show that I taped yesturday, Jan 9/2010. All the best to Winter and the staff. Keep up all the hard work.
Brenda Thompson
B.C. Canada
I never knew the story about Winter before my daughter, Lydia Keeler, started volunteering at the aquarium. We live in Indianapolis, IN and Lydia recently moved to Holiday to live with my sister. She has been very inspired by all of the work the aquarium does to help the animals and shares it with me. I think the work you all do is very awesome! I just visited the website today and started reading all of the news on the CMA, including the segment with Abby Stone on the Bonnie Hunt show. You should all be very proud of the work you do daily! I was also inspired by the recent work with the rescues of all of the sea turtles!
I love you, Winter. Keep striving for life!
I read the newspaper story about Winter in the St. Pete Times. I had recently moved to the Clearwater area, so I went to the aquarium to see Winter. I became a member of the aquarium, and have gone to the aquarium 3 times now. I tell my friends & family about Winter & send them the stories about the humans that have benefited from the technology used on Winter’s tail. I cannot wait to see the movie that is being written and directed by the same man that wrote & directed “Air Bud,” one of my favorite movies !! I hope the movie brings enough money to the aquarium for them to build the new one that is on the drawing board.
I would like to tell my story about how I came from a very lost back ground and how I came to know jesus and how he truly changed my life ! I just know my story will truly change people !!
Thank you
Betsy petty
Winter and Staff,
It took docs 2 years to finally diagnose my chronic pain. In that time, I could not go to school, my friends deserted me, and I was lonely and depressed. My parents took me to see you, and I feel alive again. I had wanted to be a marine biologist before I came, but gave up on the idea. Now, I want it even more, and when I am old enough to go to college, I want to apply to USF, so I can be close to you! I really admire you, and know that you understand. I have a hard time believing in God right now, but I was able to see you in person, I know you are real, and a big inspiration to me.
With Love, Zoe
HI’WINTER ARE U OKAY WINTER
LOOK I FEEL SRRY FOR U CAUSE U NOT IN THE OCEAN WITH YOUR FAMILY ANYMORE. LUV,TYRANNY
BYE BYE WINTER
YATIYUNA LUV WINTER TOO
Lottery Ticket Movie was stolen from an Iraq Army Sargeant soldier by the name of Aleric McClary. It was sent in as a movie idea in a script back around late 2005 when he was in Iraq. Bad enough that Warner Brothers stole Matrix from an African-american Writer and now here we are again with another theft of another African-American author but this time one that fought for this country. We here in Durham, NC was waiting for the release of this movie because several people plus two soldiers still in the Army have a copy of the ‘orginal’ script. Aleric even has the certified date as to when they recieved it! Alcon will be sued! We will put the word out on UTube how Alcon steals others works and put someone elses name on it! We hope it makes a lot of money so that Aleric can make a lot of money. This will be good news for NC because of his active duty in Iraq!
Miss Stone regarding your post above, did the script in 2005 focus around a little dolphin? Or does you post reflect anger at Warner Brothers. As a veteran I support all of our troops efforts, but I don’t want to use this venue to settle a dispute over rights. This story is loving and heart warming. I’ve seen how many many traumatic veterans respond to the love and affection of this little dolphin. Winter does not know race, she knows love. Can we please take the race out of this and address your issues directly to the source. Let the people of NC enjoy this loving story.
i love wintre the dolphen and i con’t wete to see her
love
niko
I am very interested in this movie. I am trying to get a job as a grip I have over 20 years experience I had film a lot of movies my phone number is 727 953-0551
I have been coming to the aquarium every summer since I was little. I remember being obsessed with sunset Sam the dolphin. I visited the aquarium once sortly after Winter arived before she was famous, I remember I was so touched by her story. I was sitting in the movie theatre today and a preview came on and I realized it was a movie about Winter. I started crying right in the middle of the theatre. The movie has such a wonderful cast and I was so happy when I recognized all the places. I can’t wait to see this movie!
That is crazy and sad about the statement “Alice stone” posted. Another example about the rich taking advantage of a poor mans idea. These guy was a soldier protecting all of us and them and they hide behind the US military and steal there ideas, while they are fighting. I bet he could use some money now, he’s probably disable and homeless somewhere. While the the rich producers get more money off a movie he wrote. Sad Sad Sad. It there a lawyer out there who can help this US Soldier “Veteran”.