Cillian Murphy’s Memorable First Day on ‘Inception’ Set
When we think of movies that push the boundaries of storytelling and special effects, Christopher Nolan’s ‘Inception’ undoubtedly tops the list. A decade later, one of its stars, Cillian Murphy, recalls his memorable experience working on this groundbreaking project.
A Bold Introduction to Nolan’s World
Cillian Murphy, celebrated for his role in the mind-twisting thriller, revisits his first day on set—a day packed with intense action and unparalleled practical effects.
Murphy shares, “I remember that day was my first day on set. It was this big scene with Leo, biggest movie star in the world, someone I have huge admiration for. I walked on and that whole bar had been built on a huge gimbal in order to get the effect of the glass tilting. The whole thing, this huge set, just went like that [tilts hands]. And there were all these stuntmen. I knew I was making a serious movie there.”
Nolan’s Practical Magic
Christopher Nolan has, over the years, built a reputation as a filmmaker with a penchant for realism, often prioritizing practical effects over digital ones. His Dark Knight trilogy is a testimony to his love for tangible, on-set action. His latest, ‘Oppenheimer‘, takes this a notch higher by portraying a nuclear explosion without resorting to CGI, seamlessly blending VFX with practical shots to create an authentic blast.
In ‘Inception’, Nolan’s commitment to practical effects shines brightly. While some sequences do employ VFX, many are remarkably real. Take, for instance, the iconic rotating hallway fight with Joseph Gordon-Levitt—it was filmed in a physically rotating set, pushing the boundaries of filmmaking techniques.
The Timeless Appeal of ‘Inception’
‘Inception‘ is more than just its action sequences. The innovative concept of a dream heist, coupled with Nolan’s execution, positioned it as a truly unique cinematic piece. Its tantalizingly ambiguous ending has birthed numerous discussions and theories over the years.
The film’s resilience in pop culture discourse is a testament to Nolan’s unmatched vision and prowess. It is also an affirmation of the collaborative magic of the cast and crew, encapsulated in Murphy’s memories of the set, showcasing the profound influence Nolan’s methodology has on his team.
