Sutton actress makes her big screen debut (From Surrey Comet)

Sutton actress makes her big screen debut

A schoolgirl actor who made her big screen début last week has turned down a role in the new Batman movie.

Sutton actress makes her big screen debut

Leilah De Meza, 8, starred alongside James Bond legend Roger Moore in Christmas at Castlebury Hall, which was broadcast on the Hallmark Channel on December 3.

After filming in Bucharest earlier this year, Leilah returned to Stagecoach acting school in Sutton, where she was subsequently offered a role in The Dark Night Rises.

The young actress was offered the part of "young Talia al Ghul", who, in the Batman comics, is the daughter of Ra's al Ghul, the man who trained Batman's alias Bruce Wayne in Martial arts.

Leilah's mother, Paula De Meza, said: "After careful consideration we turned it down as they were insistent that Leilah had to shave all her hair off.

"We were prepared to have it cut short but not shaved at such a young age. We were concerned how this could have affected Leilah’s confidence and general social welfare."

Following the premiere of her début on television last week, the young actress is making her family beam with pride.

Mrs De Meza said: "We were immensely proud of Leilah, she seemed to have touched all of hearts. We were completely overwhelmed because although we already knew she was talented, we never expected her to be so amazing."

Co-star Roger Moore, was so pleased with the schoolgirls turn as Maddie Huntington, his granddaughter in the film, he decided to write her a glowing reference.

The star of seven James Bond films said: "Leilah was an absolute delight to work with. In fact she made such an impression that it reminded me of the time I first met Jodie Foster."