In a feature for The Hollywood Reporter, Kevin Feige reflected on the singular image that made him confident that the original “Guardians of the Galaxy” would be a success.

Hired to rewrite the original screenplay, filmmaker James Gunn pitched to Feige that the film should center on Rocket and then began with the soundtrack.

Feige shared that on the cover of Gunn’s treatment was “a cut-and-paste picture of an '80s-style Walkman with orange foam headphones.”

The Walkman resembled the portable cassette player that Peter Quill would use throughout the films, diegetically setting up the franchise's famous needle drops.

When Feige saw the cover image of the tape player, he knew music would play a key role in the film. Feige said, “Before I read one word, I went, ‘Oh, he did it. He's cracked it.’”

Gunn's prominent use of retro music in the film is a clever and entertaining storytelling device that connects audiences to Peter Quill, despite his extraordinary circumstances.

Music is the emotional backbone of the franchise, and it represents the last connection Quill has to his late mother Meredith, as well as the origins of Quill's found family.

Feige immediately recognized the importance of the music in the movies based on that Walkman image and was certain the franchise would be a hit.