Burt Reynolds to film movie in Bradenton

You may see an 80-year-old guy who looks a lot like Burt Reynolds walking around Bradenton in the next couple of weeks.

And if you do, it could be Reynolds himself.

Filming for an independent family movie titled, "And Then There Was Light," is scheduled to begin April 20.

On Wednesday, Reynolds and others associated with the film appeared at a news conference at Southeastern Guide Dogs, which will be featured in the film.

Reynolds, the star of "Deliverance," "Smokey and the Bandit," "The Longest Yard" and dozens of other major movies, plays a prominent role in this one.

"He read the script and he liked the story," said producer Joseph Restaino. "And I've been told he likes to support Florida filmmaking."

Reynolds lives in Jupiter. He's 80 years old and still keeps up an active acting schedule, including a TV series and four films this year.

One of his most recent films, "Elbow Grease," was part of the recent Sarasota Film Festival.

The story that drew Reynolds to "And Then There Was Light" has to do with a girl named Ali who's a champion horse rider. One day she falls and loses her vision. Her mother to takes her to Southeastern Guide Dogs in Palmetto, where Reynolds is a trainer. The girl doesn't bond with the dog, so Reynolds finds her a mini pony, about 2 feet tall, that becomes her guide animal.

Reynolds isn't the only well-known actor in "And Then There Was Light." The girl's mother will be played by Amy Smart, who has appeared in dozens of films and had recurring roles in "Scrubs" and "Justified."

Jack Griffo, who stars in the Nickelodeon series "The Thundermans," plays a blind young man who befriends the girl.

"He's very big in the kids choice awards realm," Restaino said.

Another recognizable name or two will probably be added to the cast in the coming days, Restaino said, but he isn't able to make the announcement yet.

The film will be shot entirely in the Bradenton area over about three weeks, he said.

"A lot of it's going to be at Southeastern Guide Dogs," he said. "And part of it will be at Imperial Farms, which is a horse stable."

Starring as Ali is 24-year-old Bradenton actor Castille Landon. She starred in and directed another horse-related film shot in Bradenton called "Albion." That film is in post-production and will be released later this year.

Restaino was one of the producers of "Albion." So was Dori A. Rath, a former Manatee County resident who is producing "And Then There Was Light."

Restaino is also one of the organizers of the Skyway Film Festival, which made its debut at the Manatee Performing Arts Center last year and drew large crowds and lots of celebrities.

"Manatee County has been very good to us," Restaino said.

Other films Restaino and Rath have worked on, including the comedy "Sex Ed," which was filmed in Tampa and starred Haley Joel Osment, have been well reviewed and commercially successful.

Restaino said he's looking for some local just-plain-folks to be extras in "And Then There Was Light." Anyone interested should email to ponypowermovie@gmail.com

Marty Clear, features writer/columnist, can be reached at 941-708-7919. Follow twitter.com/martinclear.

This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 7:07 PM with the headline "Burt Reynolds to film movie in Bradenton ."