Mia And The White Lion | Exclusive Clip - Bonding with Charlie

Ten year old Mia has her life turned upside down when her family decides to leave London to manage a lion farm in Africa. When a beautiful white lion, Charlie, is born, Mia finds happiness once again and develops a special bond with the growing cub.

When Charlie reaches three, Mia’s life is rocked once again as she uncovers an upsetting secret kept hidden by her father. Distraught by the thought that Charlie could be in danger, Mia decides to rescue him. The two friends set out on an incredible journey across the South African savanna in search of a sanctuary where Charlie can live out his life in freedom.

Exclusive Clip - "Bonding with Charlie"

Daniah De Villiers plays the role of Mia in Mia And The White Lion. Read part of her interview below!

How was this project unique?

• Daniah De Villiers: It’s a story of love that’s never been told before. And nobody had ever worked with lions the way we did.

Kevin Richardson, the lion expert, played a key role in this project.

• Daniah: Yes. He set up his own wildlife sanctuary. He’s incredible. He has a special relationship with these lions.

Was filming a movie with a lion difficult?

• Daniah: When he was a baby, there were so many people around him that he’d get really distracted. And then as he grew older, everybody moved into cages, which made it easier! Thor is really smart, because he’s been used to filming from a very young age, and that’s how we prepared: by working with him since he was a baby.

Lion Fun Facts

• 250,000 wild lions reigned over Africa 100 years ago. Their population has fallen by 90% and last year according to experts, there are less than 20,000 left.
• Lions aren’t considered an “endangered species” but if their numbers continue to fall at the same rate, they will have completely disappeared in the wild in 20 years time.
• The roar of a lion can be heard from 5 miles away.
• The name for a baby lion is a cub, whelp or lionet.
• In the wild, lions rest for 20 hours a day Female lions, sisters, live together for life. Their female cubs also stay with the pride, even after they’re grown, but male cubs must go out on their own!
• The lionesses of the pride hunt in teams while the male lions stay and guard their land and cubs.

See Mia and the White Lion in theaters April 12th!

Share your thoughts below!

Have you ever seen a lion in real life? Have you ever touched a lion?  Comment below!