2014's Guardians of the Galaxy amped things up to a ten in regards to how the Marvel Cinematic Universe uses licensed music. Since then, the MCU has continued to look for fun ways to incorporate popular music into its films. Taika Waititi's Thor: Ragnarok uses Led Zeppelins' "Immigrant Song" in its trailers and even incorporates it into its opening battles.
Now, the upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder continues this rock and roll tradition, delivering plenty of Guns 'n' Roses and more. During the Thor: Love and Thunder press conference, attended by CBR, Waititi joked that he "Wanted to spend as much money as we possibly could on some songs."
"It's always been a dream of mine. The whole aesthetic around the film... we wanted it to be this bombastic, loud, colorful palette, which kind of reflected spray-painted panel vans in the '80s and rock album covers," Waititi said, "Even the title treatment for the film, it's the kind of thing I would've drawn on my school book in class when I wasn't listening. I remember spending months and months perfecting the Metallica logo at school."
Love and Thunder doesn't just use '80s rock music; it embraces the tone and aesthetics of that time period and genre. From the title design to the Flash Gordon vibes of the film, to even some vaporwave-esque designs and shots seen throughout the movie, Thor: Love and Thunder is a love letter to '80s nostalgia and rock and roll despite its contemporary setting. Waititi brings these influences together to tell a radical and fun story that is equal parts exciting and emotional, with songs like Guns 'n' Roses' "Sweet Child O Mine" accompanying the cosmic Viking journey.
"Guns 'n' Roses was like one of my all-time favorite bands," Waititi said, "And to be able to use that stuff to reflect the sort of crazy adventure that we're presenting, visually, was another one of my dreams that came true."
To hear Taika Waititi and Thor's awesome playlist, check out Thor: Love and Thunder in theaters on July 8.