Dolphin Tale 2 Interview with Harry Connick, Jr., Nathan Gamble and Cozi Zuehlsdorff

Like most families, my family saw Dolphin Tale when it came out (and a few times since then) and quickly fell in love with Winter and her inspirational story. Well, there is more to Winter’s story and it is being told in Dolphin Tale 2 (set to open in theaters on Sept. 12th).



Not only did I get to go and see a pre-screening of the movie (which I loved), I also got to visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and learn more about Winter, see her and Hope AND I also got to sit down and chat with Harry Connick, Jr., Nathan Gamble and Cozi Zuehlsdorff and chat about their roles in the film.

Here’s what they had to say about working together again, working with Morgan Freeman, parenting advice and more…

What was it like working together again?

Harry Connick, Jr.: It was great. We became real close during the filming of the first one so it was easy jumping in to the second one…we were all looking forward to it.

Nathan Gamble: It didn’t really feel like there was 2 years in between. I remember filming with Harry and him saying it feels like we were just filming a week ago but it had been two years.

Cozi Zuehlsdorff: It was also fun because in the first one we were the kiddos, the little kids. I feel like we got to get closer as a cast because now that we are older we’re a little more interesting, hopefully, then we were before.

Harry Connick, Jr.: I was cryogenically frozen so it really felt like a week…It’s an aging thing, I don’t like getting older.

How long did it take you to shoot this film?

Nathan Gamble: We started in October and ended in about January.

What are Winter and Hope like?

Cozi Zuehlsdorff: Hope is an adrenaline junkie and always after the next thing.She really thrives on interaction and excitement where as Winter more gentle and loving.

What was it like swimming with Winter and Hope?

Nathan Gamble: Magical really. They’re such gentle, powerful, almost human life creatures.

Harry Connick, Jr.: So, you’re talking about me?

Cozi Zuehlsdorff: It’s really cool to watch the 2 of them together (boy & Winter)

Do you think Winter remembered you?

Nathan Gamble: I’d like to say “yes”, but you really don’t know.

Harry Connick, Jr.: No you do know, because Winter came up to me and said “I remember him”. (Laughter)…I speak dolphin. It’s one of my special skills at the bottom of my resume. Juggling. Dolphin. And Juggling dolphins. (Laughter)

What was it like working with Morgan Freeman?

Nathan Gamble: What an honor to work with such an icon in this business. Fun story. I was talking to Morgan in between takes and my wardrobe lady, Claudia, took a picture of us chatting and for the wrap party she framed the picture and she gave it to me. I have that picture next to my bed as a friendly reminder that I had the great honor, the great blessing to work with someone like Morgan Freeman.

Hope arrived the night of your wrap party from the first movie, what was that like?

Harry Connick, Jr.: I remember that night. I remember everyone being on their cell phones, they had found this new baby dolphin. what hit me was, that’s what they do. We came down here and created this environment and shot this movie and while we’re doing that, they are doing what they do. None of knew that it would turn into a sequel but what an amazing thing to behold.

Nathan Gamble: You forget that that’s why they are there. They are there to rescue, rehab and release animals.

What do you think is the key message in this film?

Harry Connick, Jr.: I don’t think there is a key message, I think everyone sees it from a different angle.

What’s your best parenting advice?

Harry Connick, Jr.: I don’t think I have one specific piece of advice.  One things I always try to think about is the discovery process. Unless they are about to walk into the street with traffic and get hit by a car, I try not to step in and say “here is what I think you should do”.  I think it is about letting them fall down and figuring out how to get up.

When my kids were little, I used to tell them stories and every time the story would be that I would come in and save the day and one day it occurred to me that’s not how that story should end…they need to figure out how to (help themselves) because I’m not going to be here all the time.