Gordon-Levitt Is Super In "Looper"

MIAMI (CBS4) – In the future time travel exists. However, it's illegal and only available on the black market. So when the mob wants to wipe someone out, they send the 'target' into the past where a 'looper' or hired assassin will do the job.

In Looper, Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays 'Joe' the hitman. Bruce Willis plays him too, as his future self. One day 'Joe' learns the mob wants to clean up some loose ends by sending his future self back to the past as the next target for himself.

"The chemistry between you and 'The Man' Bruce Willis," said CBS4's Lisa Petrillo. "Well, first of all, let's talk about the physicality of it. They did do something to make you look like him. What was the process?"

"Yes, it's three hours every morning in the makeup chair. To put the prosthetics on my face and make me look a bit more like Bruce is, while it's not the most fun in the world, to have your face painted with glue. It's a really inspiring and bizarre experience to look in the mirror and see a face that's not mine," replied Gordon-Levitt.

"Did you study Bruce and his movements as well," asked Petrillo.

"I did, yes," said Gordon-Levitt. "I watched many of his movies on my iPod so I could listen to his voice. He even sent me recordings of himself doing some of my voice-over monologues. But the most important thing is getting to know him. Spending time with him, having dinner, you know, letting it seep in."

Rian Johnson wrote and directed Looper. It was his first big budget film.

"This is the first film I've done that's out there on this level. There are actually billboards up for it, it's freaking me out. It's really exciting," said Johnson.

For Gordon-Levitt, who grew up on TV from his days on "3rd Rock from the Sun and is now enjoying a busy movie career, he's a happy guy."

"I'm just really grateful. I love acting. I love making movies and telling stories. I'm very lucky I get to do something I love," said Gordon-Levitt.

Looper opens in theaters this weekend.