Following in his parents’ footsteps, Connor Cruise will make his film debut in the upcoming Will Smith drama Seven Pounds, PEOPLE has learned.

Connor, 13 – who has grown up around movie sets with mom Nicole Kidman and dad Tom Cruise – will play a young version of Smith in a very minor role. Even with such famous acting mentors in his corner, Connor had to audition for the part.

“Tom is so proud of Connor,” says a source. “He’s proud of him for really doing this on his own.”

The Columbia Pictures film, which is still in production, also costars Woody Harrelson and Rosario Dawson.

PEOPLE