30 things you probably didn't know about 'Inception'

Claudia WillenJul 14, 2020, 03:05 IST

Leonardo DiCaprio starred in "Inception."Warner Bros. Pictures

Christopher Nolan's mind-bending science fiction film "Inception" premiered 10 years ago.
Because many audience members were left perplexed by the film's abstract concepts and multi-leveled time warps, they missed some of the details Nolan included in the film.
From hidden symbols to behind-the-scenes secrets, Insider rounded up 30 details that you probably didn't know about "Inception."
Warning: This post may contain spoilers about "Inception."

An exploration into the world of dreams (namely, dreams within dreams), Christopher Nolan's "Inception" left audiences bewildered when the film was released in 2010.

"Inception," both fast-paced and visually stunning, follows Dominick Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) as he and his team enter their targets' dreams to extract and implant information.

The line between reality and dreams becomes nearly indistinguishable as the characters delve deeper into their subconscious, at times making the audience wonder whether they're watching a moment unfold in the real world or within someone's mind.

The ambiguous concepts, dream layers, and allegiances in "Inception" can be overwhelming to piece together upon first watch, making it easy to overlook the subtle details and hints that Nolan has placed throughout the movie.

Insider rounded up 30 details and behind-the-scenes facts that you probably didn't know.

Christopher Nolan thought of the idea behind "Inception" when he was 16, and the script took him 10 years to write.

Christopher Nolan is the filmmaker behind films like "Inception," "Dunkirk," and "Tenet." Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

The movie barely used any CGI for its effects.

"Inception" was filmed in various locations. Warner Bros.

They considered making "Inception" 3D but decided against it.

"Inception" was filmed in several countries. Warner Bros.

Edith Piaf's song "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien" hinted at the film's major themes.

Edith Piaf sang "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien." © AFP/File STF

Hans Zimmer created the film's score by manipulating one beat from Piaf's song.

Hans Zimmer was the film composer for "Inception." Paul A. Hebert/Invision for THR/AP Images

Nolan almost cut "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien" after he cast Marion Cotillard, who coincidentally starred as Piaf in "La Vie en Rose" years prior.

Marion Cotillard played Edith Piaf. Hulton Archive/Getty Images and Picturehouse

The film was shot in six countries.

"Inception" was shot in six countries, including Morocco. Warner Bros.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt said the scene in the hallway was both the most fun and the most painful experience he's ever had on a set.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt runs down a circling hallway in "Inception." Warner Bros.

Nolan's son Magnus played James, Cobb's son.

Christopher Nolan's son appeared in "Inception." Warner Bros.

Christopher Nolan also cast his cousin, Miranda, as a flight attendant.

Christopher Nolan's cousin, Miranda, appeared in "Inception." Warner Bros.

Before Ellen Page knew about "Inception," she met with Nolan as a fan of his work.

Ellen Page is an actress. Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Nolan incorporated a painting by Francis Bacon, his favorite artist.

Christopher Nolan put a Francis Bacon painting in the "Inception" set. Warner Bros.

The number shown on Arthur's totem reappears several times in his dream.

The number 5 is a recurring symbol in Arthur's dream. Warner Bros.

The snow fortress in Eames' dream is nearly identical to the Geisel Library in San Diego, California.

The "Inception" snow fortress was modeled after the Geisel Library. Warner Bros.; Educational Images/Getty Images

The license plates in Yusuf's dream were marked as "The Alternate State."

The license plates were changed in "Inception." Warner Bros.

Though Nolan didn't intend to make a movie about a movie, each character represents a role on a film crew.

Each character in "Inception" mirrors a role on a film crew. Warner Bros.

DiCaprio helped Nolan make the story more emotional.

Christopher Nolan and Leonardo DiCaprio teamed up for "Inception." Kevin Winter / Getty Images

The crew filmed the scene between Stephen Miles and Cobb where Nolan met his wife, Emma Thomas.

The school used in "Inception" is personal to Nolan. Warner Bros.

Brad Pitt and Will Smith turned down the role of Cobb before it was offered to DiCaprio.

Brad Pitt and Will Smith were both offered the lead role in "Inception." Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Netflix; Getty Images

The same four digits appear on the train and taxi in Yusuf's dream.

The same numbers appeared on the train and the car in "Inception." Warner Bros.

Miles makes a reference to DiCaprio's role in "Catch Me If You Can."

Leonardo DiCaprio played Cobb in "Inception." Warner Bros.

The code to the safe that Fischer gives to the team, "528491," appears throughout the film.

The code "528491" appeared throughout "Inception." Warner Bros.

DiCaprio said filming the chase scene in Morocco was the most physically challenging part of the film.

Leonardo DiCaprio filmed in Morocco for "Inception." Warner Bros.

Nolan wrote "Inception" on spec to control the narrative.

Christopher Nolan worked with Warner Bros. after he finished the script. Tony Barson/FilmMagic

In Greek mythology, Ariadne is a figure associated with labyrinths and mazes.

Ariadne drew an unsolvable maze in "Inception." Warner Bros.

The crew used air cannons to cause explosions in Paris.

Scenes in "Inception" were filmed in Paris, France. Warner Bros.

Eames' dream was inspired by James Bond films.

Ellen Page played Ariadne in "Inception." Warner Bros.

The team faced a real blizzard while filming in Calgary.

The "Inception" crew traveled to Calgary to film Eames' dream. Warner Bros.

Arthur's line telling Saito not to think about elephants is a reference to George Lakoff's book "Don't Think of an Elephant."

Saito is played by Ken Watanabe in "Inception." Warner Bros.

The last line of the movie hints at the opening scene.

Cobb's son James' final line in the movie drew back to the opening scene. Warner Bros.

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