Christopher Nolan has become one of the most prolific filmmakers in Hollywood with his work on movies like Inception, The Dark Knight trilogy, and Oppenheimer. The filmmaker is known for his penchant for unconventional, nonlinear narratives coupled with visually striking aesthetics often captured on IMAX.
Inception, released in 2010, stands as a testament to Nolan’s mastery, captivating audiences with its ingenious storytelling and breathtaking visuals even a decade after its release. However, beneath the cinematic spectacle lies Nolan’s years of meticulous craftsmanship and expertise, including his pioneering work with IMAX on the 2008 film The Dark Knight, which laid the groundwork for bringing Inception to cinematic fruition.
Christopher Nolan’s Creative Evolution from The Dark Knight to Inception
Christopher Nolan initially pitched the plans for Inception in 2001 to Warner Bros. and the studio was also excited about the project. Producer and Nolan’s wife, Emma Thomas recalled the enormity of the story when Nolan shared it with her, prompting her doubts about how they could make it “smaller.”
Nolan eventually decided to put the film on hold and started working on the first installment in The Dark Knight Trilogy, Batman Begins. This caused Inception to be delayed for years. However, Thomas noted that the delay proved beneficial, as it allowed Nolan to mature both as a filmmaker and storyteller.
“Chris grew into this film,” Thomas told The Hollywood Reporter before adding, “He did Batman Begins and learned an enormous amount.” His experience working on Batman Begins and The Dark Knight not only honed his visual prowess but also enriched his narrative depth.
The Dark Knight, in particular, marked a pivotal moment in Nolan’s career, introducing groundbreaking IMAX cinematography and further refining his storytelling techniques. It was the first Nolan film which included six scenes shot on IMAX, which has since become a hallmark for his movies.
When he finally decided to bring the story to life, the Oscar-winning filmmaker infused the project with his evolved expertise in visual storytelling and heightened emotional depth, complemented by a stellar ensemble cast.
Leonardo DiCaprio Invested Himself to Prepare For His Role in Inception
In her conversation with the Hollywood Reporter, Emma Thomas also highlighted Leonardo DiCaprio’s invaluable contribution to the 2010 film Inception. She shared that DiCaprio invested himself to understand the story and his character. She shared,
“Leo spends a lot of time in preproduction with the writer and director—So Chris and Leo spent weeks and weeks just combing through the script. The work he did on his character with Chris made the movie less of a puzzle and more of a story of a character audiences could relate to.”
The actor also shared that it was important for him to have a thorough understanding of his role. Although it was “incredibly confusing” initially, he gradually unraveled the intricacies and gained a deeper understanding of his character’s nature.
Christopher Nolan’s Inception enjoyed widespread acclaim, grossing $839 million worldwide and earning numerous accolades, including four Oscars, including for Best Visual Effects and Best Cinematography at the 83rd Academy Awards.
Inception is available to stream on Apple TV+.
