Stories from the set

James Franco began negotiations with Christopher Nolan about a role in the film. However, due to scheduling conflicts, he was unable to join the cast. The role intended for Franco was played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Filming for the movie began on July 13, 2009.

Leonardo DiCaprio was the first actor to agree to take part in the project.

Leonardo DiCaprio's character is named Dom Cobb. A professional thief introduced himself as Cobb in Nolan's debut film, Following (1998).

The original title of the script was "Oliver's Arrow."

The film's characters wake from sleep to Edith Piaf's song Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien ("No, I regret nothing"). Marion Cotillard played Edith Piaf in 2007.

For the role of Ariadne, Nolan wanted to cast Evan Rachel Wood, but the actress stated she was not interested in working together. Keira Knightley, Emily Blunt, Emma Roberts, Jesse Schram, Taylor Swift, and Carey Mulligan were also considered for the role of Ariadne.

"Inception" became Tom Berenger's first film since "Training Day" (2001) to reach U.S. movie screens.

During the script reworking, among other things, the names of the main characters were also changed. DiCaprio's character was called Jacob Hastley, and Elliot Page's character (formerly known as Ellen Page) was named Isabella.

The film's title, styled as a maze, resembles the logo of Christopher Nolan's production company Syncopy.