Written by With James Gunn now the co-CEO of DC Studios, it’s almost surreal to look back at his days working with Marvel Studios on the Guardians of the Galaxy series. But despite the clear influence of the Star Wars franchise, Gunn’s love for cinema started with an animated film, titled The Aristocats, which also featured Phil Harris. In an interview with Variety, he said:
I think the first movie I saw in a theater was “The Aristocats.” Then “The Strongest Man in the World” with Kurt Russell. But it was “Star Wars” that completely changed me. That feeling of entering another world. And then “Raiders of the Lost Ark” made me aware of filmmakers themselves — George Lucas, Steven Spielberg. That’s when it clicked.
Thus, just like many others, this classic animated film by Disney became an inspiration for future filmmakers to follow, along with many others that came after it. But in the end, Gunn also remembers his younger days falling in love with Star Wars, which became a big part of his current life as a filmmaker.
GOTG Was James Gunn’s Way of Recreating the Star Wars Magic
A still from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 | Credits: Marvel Studios and Disney
While the success of 2025’s Superman and the continued development of the DCU are what James Gunn is being praised for today, his claim to fame came with the success of the Guardians of the Galaxy series under Marvel. And following his love for Star Wars and the theme of these films, it was a perfect chance for him to pay homage to George Lucas’ masterpiece.
After the release of the last film in the series and his parting ways with Marvel Studios, Gunn made a post on X (@JamesGunn) and revealed how he always wanted to create something similar to Star Wars. But unlike a visual recreation, he wanted to recreate the feeling of watching something like the franchise’s films for the first time, witnessing its awe and greatness. He said:
11 years ago I had a meeting with Marvel Studios about the possibility of doing a Guardians of the Galaxy movie. I remember driving home & thinking I didn’t want to make a movie LIKE Star Wars, but a movie that made people FEEL like Star Wars made me feel as a kid. Outlandish characters, extraordinary locations, a space opera with a touch of magic filled with heart. Thank you, Star Wars, for inspiring me, & how appropriate that the third part of our trilogy is playing in theaters all across the world tonight on May the 4th.
Therefore, while the franchise may have come later in his life, it managed to make him fall in love with the art of filmmaking and made him the world-renowned director and writer he is today.
What Made Disney’s The Aristocats So Special and Memorable
There’s a reason why Disney has been widely recognized as one of the biggest cultural influences in the world of storytelling and entertainment as a whole, something that its early films like The Aristocats embody.
For starters, the sheer evergreen quality of the film’s animations has withstood the test of time, looking just as visually stunning as they did more than half a century ago. At the same time, after the death of Walt Disney, the studio shifted towards simplicity, charm, and humor rather than an epic fantasy, which proved perfect for the kids and families all across the globe.
Moreover, the character-driven story placed a lot of emphasis on individuals rather than an overarching narrative, which leaned into the more grounded side of things. This proved how, despite being a simple story, characteristics can make it just as appealing as an epic adventure.
And lastly, the combined theme of the film pulls even the young ones into a state of relatively deeper introspection, which makes it an all-encompassing narrative that is remembered for decades to come.
Here’s more information on The Aristocats.
MovieThe AristocatsDirectorWolfgang ReithermanMajor CastSterling Holloway, Phil Harris, Eva Gabor, Liz English, Monica EvansIMDb Score7.1/10Box Office$191 Million
Which film made you fall in love with cinema? Tell us in the comments below.
The Aristocats and Guardians of the Galaxy are streaming on Disney+ (US).
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
