One of Troma's greatest success stories that of James Gunn, the plucky kid from Heartland USA who came to New York City and arriving on Troma's doorstep with nothing more than a dream. A dream to be a filmmaker. To make his own damn movie. And on March 9, 2005, that dream came true, as James began production on his directorial debut, the sci-fi/horror comedy Slither, in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Nathan Fillion and James Gunn

Reflecting the high opinion James Gunn has for his former mentor and friend, Lloyd was cast a sad drunk. Starring in the scenes with Kaufman are Greg Henry (Payback, Star Trek: Insurrection) and Nathan Fillion ("Firefly" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"). Wearing a Troma Toxic Avenger "I Love the Monster Hero " T-shirt, Gunn made a brief speech on the Slither set to cast and crew, graciously crediting Kaufman with starting Gunn's movie career. "I owe my career to Lloyd Kaufman," stated Gunn. Sustained applause occured.

Producers Eric Newman and Jeff Levine

Lloyd, Jeff and Eric

Gunn's first film job was writing Kaufman's Tromeo and Juliet,a film promoting incest and containing head-crushing, lesbians and car crashes.Gunn's next career move was writing the delightful childrens film Scooby Doo. When asked for his reaction to this apparent contradiction, Kaufman remarked,"Well, that's not so strange. In Scooby Doo, Scooby farts. That's Troma-esque."

Director and fashion icon James Gunn

Lloyd, ever the Method actor, is three sheets to the wind, on the set for his cameo

 

Kaufman also has a featured role in Jenna Fisher's comedy Lollilove, which also stars Fisher, Gunn, Linda Cardellini and Judy Greer.