Taylor Swift’s influence on Matthew Vaughn’s February film Argylle extends beyond just her fingerprints; her three cats also leave their mark on the story.
In a recent Hollywood Reporter article exploring the surge of cat-related content in Hollywood, the director disclosed that one of the standout elements of his 2024 mystery thriller was inspired by the pop star’s love for felines.
Specifically, a scene in Swift’s Netflix documentary Miss Americana featuring her carrying her Scottish Fold cat, Olivia, in a backpack served as direct inspiration for a similar moment in the film, where Bryce Dallas Howard’s character carries a kitty sidekick named Alfie in a pet backpack.
Initially, the script for Argylle had Howard’s character leaving Alfie behind, but Vaughn had a change of heart, and the inclusion of the little cat became one of the movie’s key selling points.
The Hollywood Reporter article, fittingly titled “Cats Are Finally Having a Big Hollywood Meow-Ment,” also acknowledges Swift’s role in boosting the popularity of cats, citing her affection for her own feline companions, Meredith and Benjamin, the latter of whom she posed with on the cover of Time for her December Person of the Year interview.
Swift’s involvement in shaping Argylle is particularly fitting given the speculation surrounding her potential authorship of the book “Elly Conway,” on which the film is based. However, Vaughn dispelled these rumors shortly before the movie’s release.
