Film director Rian Johnson and actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt are neighbors in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles. They're also pretty close, since Gordon-Levitt says they hang out at each other's house and he also praises Johnson's cooking.

" 'Looper' is the first time anyone has written a part for me," he tells The Japan Times about the film that is written and directed by Johnson. "When Rian handed me a draft of the script, we were at Du-par's (restaurant) eating steak and eggs. I waited until I got home to read it. When I did, I thought, 'This is brilliant.' "

Roles catering to the actor are just another step on Gordon-Levitt's rise to the top. The 31-year-old has been on a roll for the past few years when it comes to films. He's had big parts in the blockbusters "Inception" and "The Dark Knight Rises" as well as a part in last year's critcally acclaimed "Lincoln." In fact, he has been in 20 features since appearing in 2005's "Brick," which was a writing/directing breakthrough for Johnson.