Overview

• Christopher Nolan first offered the lead role in Inception to Brad Pitt, who declined within 48 hours before approaching Smith.
• Smith said he didn’t understand the film’s nested alternate realities and has long regretted his decision to pass.
• Leonardo DiCaprio ultimately took the part and Inception went on to gross more than $839 million worldwide after its 2010 release.
• The actor grouped Inception with other major films he turned down, including The Matrix and Django Unchained, noting their pitches didn’t land for him.
• This is the first time Smith has publicly discussed rejecting the film, highlighting a pattern of career choices he now views as mistakes.