Joseph inspired by maverick Nolan

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been inspired watching director Christopher Nolan do exactly what he wants in terms of filmmaking.

The 31-year-old actor has worked with Nolan on Inception and new Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises, and is currently working on his own directorial debut.

Joseph told The Times: "To be honest, I always wanted to direct a movie; it's something I've been working towards for a long time. I love being an actor, but I also have stories I want to tell, and I'm not going to wait for somebody to hire me to do it."

He added: "[Former indie director Nolan] brings that same independence to these huge movies. Nobody at Warner Bros is telling Chris what to do.

"That's the indie thing... it's got an individual voice, of an artist who's got something to say."

Joseph's untitled film, starring himself as a modern-day Don Juan who sets out on a quest to become a nicer person, reportedly has Scarlett Johansson and Julianne Moore attached to co-star.

The short film director has also taken inspiration from working with Steven Spielberg on Team Of Rivals: The Political Genius Of Abraham Lincoln.

He said: "Things would happen that had not been planned for, and Steven would so quickly arrange the camera...

"He is able to capture that spontaneity and yet have it look like a Spielberg movie... It's something to see."