Cocoon (1985)

Science-fiction fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Ron Howard about a group of elderly people rejuvenated by aliens.

The film was shot in and around St. Petersburg, Florida: locations included the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, Sunny Shores Rest Home, The Coliseum, and Snell Arcade buildings. The film earned two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor (Don Ameche) and for Best Visual Effects.

Robert Zemeckis was originally hired as director, but after spending a year working on it in development, he was fired before production began as 20th Century Fox (the studio financing Cocoon) felt he was box office poison, due to his films I Wanna Hold Your Hand and Used Cars both being critically acclaimed, but commercial failures.