Connick, Jr., Freeman, Judd Eye 3-D 'Dolphin Tale' Film

Harry Connick, Jr., Morgan Freeman, and Ashley Judd are in talks to star in Charles Martin Smith's upcoming 3-D 'Dolphin Tale' film, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The plot is based on the true story of Winter, a dolphin who was found off the coast of Florida and brought to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The film will focus on a boy who finds a dolphin who is missing her tail. With the help of some friends, including Connick, Jr. as a veterinarian and Freeman as a doctor, he creates a man-made tail to replace the lost one.

'Dolphin Tale' has a screenplay by Karen Janszen ('A Walk to Remember') and will be released by Warner Brothers' Alcon Entertainment.

Over the past two decades, Harry Connick, Jr. has proven to be among the world's most successful and multi-talented artists. While he first reached a mass audience as a pianist, singer and bandleader, his subsequent success in film, television and theatre have secured his place in the public eye as a renaissance man and a versatile entertainer second to none, garnering him three Grammy Awards and an Emmy Award, as well as two Tony Award nominations. Following a sold-out concert series at Broadway's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in 1990 and Tony nominations for his performance in The Pajama Game and his music and lyrics in Thou Shalt Not, Harry Connick, Jr. is happy to return to Broadway. Raised in New Orleans, Connick first performed publicly at age five, appeared on his first recording at age ten and released his self-titled major-label debut on Columbia Records at 19. Since then he has recorded over 24 albums which have garnered sales of over 25 million, and is ranked among the top best-selling male artists in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America. His most recent album, "Your Songs," was released on Columbia Records in 2009, featuring Harry's versions of 14 classic popular songs. Film credits include Memphis Belle; Little Man Tate; Copycat; Independence Day; Hope Floats; My Dog Skip; The Iron Giant; The Simian Line; P.S., I Love You; New in Town; Mickey; Bug; and Living Proof. Connick has contributed music to several films including When Harry Met Sally (leading to his first multiplatinum album), The Godfather III and Sleepless in Seattle. Television credits include "When My Heart Finds Christmas" (CBS) and "Harry for the Holidays" (NBC); two Great Performances (PBS) specials: "Swingin' Out Live" and "Harry Connick, Jr.: Only You in Concert" (2004 Emmy Award); "The Happy Elf" (NBC); "South Pacific" (ABC); and "Will & Grace" (NBC, recurring role of Dr. Leo Markus).

Acclaimed actor Morgan Freeman's Broadway credits include THE COUNTRY GIRL and HELLO, DOLLY! He won an Academy Award for his performance in 'Million Dollar Baby' and was nominated for an additional four Academy Awards (for 'Street Smart,' 'Driving Miss Daisy,' 'The Shawshank Redemption,' and 'Invictus'). His other film credits include 'Unforgiven,' 'March of the Penguins,' and 'The Dark Knight.' Freeman has received a Kennedy Center Honor.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.