Bindi Irwin to make movie debut in Free Willy 4

Melbourne, Mar 21 (ANI): Late crocodile hunter Steve Irwin's daughter Bindi, 10, will be making her film debut by playing the lead in 'Free Willy 4'.

She will be playing the role of Kirra Cooper in her first full-length movie, two-and-a-half years after her father passed away.

Even at such a young age, her acting skills have been described as formidable by the movie's writer and director Will Geiger, and her co-star veteran actor Beau Bridges agrees with him.

Bridges, 67, revealed that he and his family had been a huge fan Crocodile Hunter, and that they also liked Bindi's Jungle Girl show very much.

"She's been teaching me a few things too," News.com.au quoted him as telling the Courier Mail.

"I hesitate to talk too openly about her skills because she'd get a swollen head and she's got to wear hats in the movie," he said.

For Bindi, the whole setting is a lot of fun, and she described Bridges as an absolute legend.

"Its been really, really fun, a really amazing learning curve for me," she said, adding that the movie's conservation theme suited her perfectly.

One of the film's producers is the Irwin family's friend and manager John Stainton.

He said while Bindi had been nervous about remembering her lines, she had mastered the craft.

"She shines, the camera loves her and she's just got that sparkle in her eyes," he said.

Filming is set to wind up next week with the Irwins back at Australia Zoo for Easter, and the movie is expected to be ready for release next year. (ANI)