 Luke and Owen Wilsons mother, Laura Wilson, worked closely with  photographer Richard Avedon. Laura documented Avedons "In the  American West" series project. The photo clipping of Owen Wilsons  character, sent to Angelica Houstons character, copies a famous  portrait from the Avedon series, of a young man holding a  disemboweled snake. The Wilson brothers would definitely be aware of  their mothers project, and this would be somewhat of an inside  family joke.