TideBreakers urges Warner Bros. to back end to captive whales and dolphins

TideBreakers praised Warner Bros. for using CGI whales in the upcoming Free Willy remake and urged the studio to use the film to push for an end to whale and dolphin captivity. The group said the remake could help shift entertainment away from live marine mammals and toward conservation messaging.

Why it matters: - TideBreakers is using a high-profile remake of Free Willy to press for broader change in how the film industry treats marine mammals. - The group argues that replacing captive whales with CGI shows entertainment can move away from animal captivity without sacrificing storytelling. - TideBreakers wants the remake to become a public example for ending whale and dolphin captivity and captive breeding worldwide.

What happened: - TideBreakers welcomed Warner Bros.' reported decision to use computer-generated whales in the upcoming Free Willy remake instead of live captive animals. - The organization said the choice reflects both modern filmmaking and better animal welfare standards. - TideBreakers called on the filmmakers to partner with the group on a global commitment to end whale and dolphin captivity for entertainment. - TideBreakers also urged the production team to publicly support an end to breeding whales and dolphins in captivity.

The details: - TideBreakers said the original Free Willy helped shape public views on marine mammals, freedom and conservation. - The group said the remake offers a chance to extend that message into the production process itself. - TideBreakers said captive breeding keeps highly intelligent, socially complex marine mammals in artificial environments for life. - Jana Richardson of TideBreakers said there are more than 50 orca whales in captivity globally. - Richardson said two orcas, Keijo and Wikie, are being held in deteriorating conditions in a shuttered marine park in Antibes, France. - Richardson also said dolphins are used for "experiential swims" in places including shallow pools in Mexico on a property rented to a third party by Hyatt Hotels. - TideBreakers said phasing out captive breeding would help end lifelong confinement for future generations of whales and dolphins. - The group said the film industry should make CGI the standard when marine mammals are part of a story.

Between the lines: - TideBreakers is trying to turn a film remake into a policy and public-relations moment for animal welfare. - The group is linking the emotional power of Free Willy to a broader argument that the franchise should stand for freedom both on screen and in real life. - The comments reflect a wider push to normalize computer-generated animals and reduce the use of live captive wildlife in entertainment.

What's next: - TideBreakers said it wants to engage Warner Bros. and the creative team behind Free Willy. - The organization plans to explore opportunities that promote marine life while supporting a future where whales and dolphins live in the wild. - TideBreakers is inviting the filmmakers to publicly join its call to end captivity and captive breeding for entertainment worldwide.

The bottom line: - TideBreakers sees the Free Willy remake as a chance to pair nostalgia with activism, and to push the film industry toward a no-captivity standard for marine mammals.