(Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for GLAAD )
Florida is a pretty ideal place to be in the winter and WWE star Sonya Deville was filming a movie earlier this week in Clearwater.
There have been a lot of movies filmed in the Sunshine State and many actually right here in Southwest Florida. And it appears that one more will be added to the list soon. During the winter, when other places are covered in ice, Florida is the place to be. I'm sure it doesn't take a lot of arm twisting to anyone to come down here. Especially actors, actresses and production crews to film a TV show or movie.
It wasn't all that long ago we heard of a movie called Written in the Sand being filmed a little closer to home on Sanibel and Captiva. They were at places we're all familiar with like RC Otters's, Doc Ford's, MudBugs and more. I love seeing movies filmed in places I'm familiar with! I grew up with a family home on Clearwater Beach, so it looks like I'll have to watch this movie too to see what I can spot.
WWE Star Sonya Deville Filmed Movie In Clearwater
A lot of wrestlers live in the Tampa Bay area. WWE's Sonya Deville is originally from New Jersey, but now lives in Florida herself, so to film this movie, she didn't have to go far. I became a fan of hers while watching Total Divas and have loved watching her in the ring ever since. However, she has been out with a torn ACL since summer. According to WFLA, the wrestler, whose real name is Daria Berenato, will play a police officer in a new movie called DNA Secrets. The movie is said to follow an antique store owner named Marci who gifts family members DNA kits. But soon after some of them are murdered and Marci hopes she's not next. Sounds like a great mystery!
No word on a release date for the movie.
15 Movies Filmed In Southwest Florida
I always love reading books and watching TV shows and movies that have a Florida connection, and especially seeing places that you're familiar with and knowing your favorite actor or actress was there too is super cool. I did some searching and found 15 movies that were filmed right here in Southwest Florida.
I just finished the TV series "The Glades" that was filmed on the east coast of Florida and it got me thinking that there had to be other series filmed here on the west coast. If you haven't seen it, it actually premiered back in 2010 but it's like a CSI-type show where each episode features a different murder with some great personal character stories woven in. I couldn't find anything that was filmed here as far as TV goes, but for movies, there's quite a list. Some of them I knew, and some I didn't, so now I have a few to add to my to-watch list.
Of course with miles and miles of beautiful beaches, charming downtown areas and over a million acres of wetlands preserve with The Everglades, there's a backdrop for just about any movie, and being able to film year round down here is a major bonus.
From zombies to owls, ghost orchids, scandals and football players the variety of movies filmed partially or fully here in our area is wide. Just a few of the many actors who have filmed here include Denzel Washington, Sean Connery, Joe Pesci, Reese Witherspoon, Woody Harrelson and Jayne Mansfield.
SOURCE: naplesnews.com
15 Movies Filmed in Southwest Florida:
"The Hybrids Family" (2015)
Filming for this horror movie spoof was filmed primarily in Ave Maria with some locals and Ave Maria students appearing as extras.
"Hoot" (2006)
Hoot” was filmed mainly on the east coast of Florida, but parts of the movie were shot in Boca Grande and Gasparilla Island.
"Out Of Time" (2003)
This crime thriller starring Denzel Washington and Eva Mendes was filmed in Boca Grande.
"Striptease" (2002)
This Demi Moore flick was filmed primarily in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, however some parts of the movie were shot in Clewiston.
"Adaptation" (2002)
This film featuring Meryl Streep and Nicolas Cage was shot primarily in Los Angeles, but some scenes were filmed at the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve.
"Sweet Home Alabama" (2002)
This Reese Witherspoon rom-com had parts filmed at South Seas Resort on Captiva.
"Palmetto" (1998)
Some of Woody Harrelson's scenes were shot in downtown Fort Myers, others were shot in Charlotte County, Palmetto and Sarasota.
"Gone Fishin'" (1997)
This Disney comedy was filmed all over Southwest Florida, from Fort Myers, Estero, Marco Island and Bonita Springs to Big Cypress Swamp and Everglades National Park.
"Just Cause" (1995)
This thriller was filmed in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs and other parts of Collier County.
"Blue Sky" (1994)
Jessica Lange won an Academy Award for Best Actress for this drama filmed in Fort Myers and North Captiva Island.
"Coupe De Ville" (1990)
Some of the scenes from this comedy-drama were filmed in Cape Coral and Fort Myers.
"Day of the Dead" (1985)
The underground scenes were filmed in Pennsylvania, but the above ground scenes were filmed in downtown Fort Myers.
"Night Moves" (1975)
This Gene Hackman film had scenes shot on Sanibel Island.
"The Fat Spy" (1966)
This comedy parody flick was filmed in Cape Coral. Some of the scenes were shot at the Cape Coral Yacht Club, the beach and the Iwo Jima memorial.
"Wind Across the Everglades" (1958)
Filming for this Christopher Plummer movie took place in the town of Chokoloskee.
