Guy Pearce expects Robert Pattinson to become the "biggest movie star in the world".

He said: "I'd met Robert briefly one Comic Con a couple of years ago and told him he was great – I'd only seen one of his films, 'Water For Elephants'.

"He's as interested in delving into character as much, if not more, than I am.

"I thought, 'This guy's totally my cup of tea.' Then I put two and two together and went, 'Hang on, he looks like that, he's that famous and he's this good …. Seriously, if he doesn't become the biggest movie star in the world there's something wrong.'

"Amazing as an actor and amazing looking – what a combination."

Guy previously credited his own acting ability to his suffering from social anxiety, but the star admitted he isn't affected by it "as much" nowadays compared to what he used to be like which he puts down partly to his age.

He added to Metro newspaper: "I'm much older now but if I'm at a social situation and then leave, I feel a massive sense of relief.

"I'm sure this is the same for a lot of people, you don't feel like necessarily being 'on'.

"I've always had people say to me, 'Oh you take things too seriously, you're a misery guys.'

"I always feel like I have to pretend I'm not any of that stuff, which takes energy.

"So when I leave a situation I go, 'Thank god I can be on my own now.' Or with my wife, she understands.