Beasts' Wallis: I don't like pigs

Beasts Of The Southern Wild star Quvenzhane Wallis has revealed that she had initial doubts about working with pigs.

The nine-year-old had to get close to semi-feral animals such as wild pigs and chickens for her big-screen debut in Benh Zeitlin's epic drama.

"I didn't enjoy working with the pig but I got used to it. I would ride on it, I would play with it and try to get used to it," she admitted.

While the pig may have fazed her, Quvenzhane - who plays six-year-old Hushpuppy - revealed she didn't get scared on set despite the effects of a 100-year-old storm.

Director Benh, who also co-wrote the screenplay, said: "Early on, I would think she was really scared on set and I would cut the scene, and she would say, 'What's the problem?'

"She was so convincing and she would play those scenes where it looks like she is afraid for her life, yet as soon as I call 'cut', she would run around and laugh. I realised that was just her acting. It was amazing."

There is early Oscars buzz for Quvenzhane's performance, but she said: "I would be excited about going to the Oscars, but I don't think about it. But my mum does! I just put my head in it and go with the flow."

Beasts Of the Southern Wild is in cinemas now.