Chris Massoglia, star of upcoming film The Hole in 3D, is being touted as the successor to teen hearthrob Zac Efron.

The 18-year-old actor has been praised by legendary filmmaker Joe Dante, the man behind Gremlins, who directed Chris in the 3D family horror, which hits UK screens on September 22.

"I do seem to have a sense of being able to pick kids who have some staying power in the business, and I think Chris is going to have a career," said Dante, who also gave Oscar nominee Ethan Hawke his break.

Chris stars alongside fellow rising star Haley Bennett, and Dante says it was the chemistry between the two that made him give Chris the part.

"There were sparks, it was obvious that these kids really worked together," he said.

But Chris laughed off the idea that he was the new Zac Efron though, saying: "I don't think so. I can't sing, so I don't know if I'll be doing any musicals."