
Inception at 15: The Background of Christopher Nolan's Thought-Provoking Sci-Fi Action Film
As the film marks its 15th anniversary, Hasitha Fernando from Flickering Myth reflects on the story behind Christopher Nolan's Inception...
Over the years, Christopher Nolan has established himself as a distinguished filmmaker, captivating audiences globally with his innovative storytelling, stunning visuals, and grand scale. Inception can rightfully be considered one of Nolan's standout achievements as a genre filmmaker. With its anniversary here, we explore the behind-the-scenes journey of this mind-bending, genre-blending sci-fi masterpiece and more...
Christopher Nolan spent over eight years writing the script.
Today, Christopher Nolan is a well-known name in the industry. The exceptionally talented filmmaker has created some of the most remarkable cinematic works in modern history, including the critically acclaimed The Dark Knight Trilogy, the mind-bending noir Memento, and the awe-inspiring sci-fi drama Interstellar. After completing his third film, Insomnia, in 2002, Nolan presented his concept for Inception to executives at Warner Bros., where he received the green light to move forward with the project. However, since the script wasn’t completed at that time, Nolan opted to develop it as a spec script to present to the studio upon completion. With the initial idea set, he began working on the script, initially believing it would take him a few months, but it ultimately took an astonishing eight years to finish. During that period, Warner Bros. selected him to reboot the Batman franchise, and the rest, as they say, is history.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Nolan explained that the characters in Inception were inspired by real-life roles he encountered during filming. He envisioned Cobb as the director, Arthur as the producer, Ariadne as the production designer, and Eames as the actor, with Saito representing the overseeing studio. Inception marked Nolan’s first completely original project since his feature film debut, Following, released in 1998. Previous films like Memento were based on a short story written by his brother Jonathan Nolan, Insomnia was a remake of a Norwegian film, and The Dark Knight Trilogy adapted various comic book materials.
Leonardo DiCaprio made significant contributions during the script development.
Over the years, Leonardo DiCaprio has risen to become one of Hollywood’s most reliable and versatile stars. He received his first Academy Award nomination for portraying a developmentally challenged boy in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and gained further recognition in films like Romeo + Juliet and the blockbuster Titanic. However, it was his compelling performances in earlier 2000s films like Gangs of New York and Catch Me If You Can that established him as a formidable talent.
From the start, DiCaprio was the sole choice for the role of Dom Cobb. While other actors were considered, Nolan and producer Emma Thomas had DiCaprio in mind from the beginning. After securing the role, DiCaprio spent months refining the script alongside Nolan. In an interview, Nolan remarked, “He made some extraordinary contributions to the script and really challenged me to ensure clarity while maintaining the internal logic and true essence of the characters and the established rules.”
The role of Saito was specifically written for Ken Watanabe.
Ken Watanabe is mainly recognized for his samurai roles in Japan, so it was fitting that his international breakthrough came with a similar character in 2003’s The Last Samurai, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Since then, Watanabe has appeared in various Hollywood productions, including WWII films like Letters from Iwo Jima and kaiju movies such as Godzilla and its sequel, Godzilla: King of the Monsters. During this time, he developed a strong working relationship with Christopher Nolan after collaborating on Batman Begins. Consequently, Nolan created the role of Saito specifically for Watanabe, as he believed the talented actor had limited screen time in Batman Begins.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt performed most of his stunts in Inception.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt began his career as a child actor in films like A River Runs Through It and Holy Matrimony, gaining prominence as Timmy Solomon on the TV series 3rd Rock from the Sun. He later transitioned to more serious roles in critically acclaimed independent films such as Manic, Mysterious Skin, and Brick. In 500 Days of Summer, Gordon-Levitt made a significant impact, portraying the heartbroken Tom opposite Zooey Deschanel’s Summer and earning a Golden Globe nomination. Shortly thereafter, he was offered the role in Inception, replacing James Franco. In an interview, he shared that he attended the audition fully suited “just in case,” unaware that his character Arthur also wore a similar outfit. Additionally, Gordon-Levitt executed most of his stunts during filming, showcasing his impressive abilities.
Mal was one of Marion Cotillard’s favorite roles in her career.
Marion Cotillard began her career in French cinema, gaining recognition with the action-comedy Taxi, written by Luc B











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Inception at 15: The Background of Christopher Nolan's Thought-Provoking Sci-Fi Action Film
As the movie marks its 15th anniversary, Hasitha Fernando from Flickering Myth explores the background of Christopher Nolan's Inception. Throughout the years, Christopher Nolan has established himself in the film industry as a distinctive filmmaker, captivating audiences globally with his creative narratives, stunning visuals, and grand scale. Inception can genuinely […]