Hollywood comes to the Suncoast, and the crew films “Florida Wild” at the Myakka City Ranch

MYACKA CITY, Fla. (WWSB) – Before the Wild West, Florida was wild, and these Hollywood filmmakers take us back to the 19th century in the new film “Florida Wild.”

200 crew members took over a 10,000-acre ranch in Myakka, owned by Mark Pentecost, also an executive producer of the film, to create a Western-themed art piece.

“People don’t know that before cattle out west in Texas happened in Oklahoma, it happened in Florida,” said executive producer Rick Eldridge.

“Florida Wild came in first. Most people only think about beaches and Disney, and I want them to see the reality of Florida,” Mark Pentecost said. “It’s real people, down to earth, wildlife, there’s alligators, there’s warthogs,” Pentecost said. And Spanish moss hanging from the trees.”

The film features a star-studded cast, including Lee Majors of The Six Million Dollar Man fame, Nancy Stafford, and Mira Sorvino.

It also has some newer but experienced kids in the building. Several young actors have already been nominated for Emmys.

“Wild Florida, Florida cowboys, good music, good manners, nice girls, what more can you ask for?” said John Demaree, the 19-year-old actor in the film.

The film will hit theaters sometime in 2025. The crew will be filming in Myakka for the next six weeks.

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