James Gunn Reveals the Worst Note He Ever Got From Marvel About GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY
The first Guardians of the Galaxy movie might have had a very different vibe if James Gunn had followed a studio note he still remembers as one of the worst he’s ever received. Luckily for fans, he ignored it.
Recently on Threads, Gunn was asked what the worst studio note of his career was. His answer? A suggestion that could have completely changed the vibe of Guardians of the Galaxy. Gunn recalled:
“I was told no one would like the Guardians soundtrack and I should change it to Britney Spears like 90’s songs. I don’t know if it’s the worst but it’s the one I remember the most!”
That one decision ended up being a game-changer. The soundtrack for the 2014 Marvel film was built around the mixtape carried by Peter Quill, filled with music from the 1960s and 1970s. It was an awesomely creative choice that gave the film its unique identity, even though someone at Marvel thought it wouldn’t connect with audiences.
Instead, the soundtrack became a phenomenon, climbing to #1 on the US Billboard 200 chart, making history as the first album composed entirely of previously released songs to top the chart.
Not only that, but the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack was certified Platinum by the RIAA and became the second best-selling soundtrack of 2014 in the U.S., just behind Disney’s Frozen.
It reintroduced classic hits like “Hooked on a Feeling” by Blue Swede and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell to a whole new generation of fans.
The success of the soundtrack cemented the Guardians films as being just as much about music as they are about intergalactic action. Each installment has delivered unforgettable needle drops, from Electric Light Orchestra’s “Mr. Blue Sky” in Vol. 2 to Florence and the Machine’s “Dog Days Are Over” in Vol. 3.
Hearing Gunn’s story now, it’s hard to imagine the Guardians of the Galaxy movies without their iconic retro playlists. If he had taken that note, the entire personality of the franchise could have been lost.
Thankfully, Gunn stuck to his vision, and audiences everywhere are still rocking out to Star-Lord’s mixtape.