As Marvel fans, we all know that we can always expect to find hidden easter eggs in every movie they release. These easter eggs are like a little treasure hunt for attentive viewers, because they are often subtle, and may even be unnoticed by casual viewers. In this article, we’ll be breaking down the hidden easter eggs in Marvel movies, from Iron Man to Avengers: Endgame.
Iron Man (2008)
The MCU’s first movie is dominated by one particularly exciting hidden easter egg – the introduction of S.H.I.E.L.D. The organization is introduced when Tony Stark is handed some documents with the S.H.I.E.L.D. logo on them, and it opens the door to the larger Marvel universe. Additionally, J.A.R.V.I.S. (the artificial intelligence butler who assists Tony) is named after Edwin Jarvis, who was the Avengers’ butler in the comics.
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
The Incredible Hulk, released the same year as Iron Man, has a more hidden easter egg. During the scene where Bruce Banner is drinking a soda at a convenience store, he drops it and the label lands face up, displaying the Stark Industries logo. This reveals that Banner’s blood ultimately ends up in one of Tony Stark’s laboratories, a nod to The Avengers.
Thor (2011)
Multiple hidden easter eggs appear in Thor, but one of the most significant is in the post-credit scene. It includes the Tesseract, which is actually the Space Stone, being taken by S.H.I.E.L.D. This leads into the events in The Avengers, where Loki uses the Tesseract to open a portal to summon the Chitauri.
The Avengers (2012)
For a movie with so many superheroes battling it out, there are surprisingly few easter eggs in The Avengers. However, one of the most noteworthy ones is the mention of Doctor Strange by Thor, which sets the stage for the Sorcerer Supreme’s introduction later in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier has a few hidden easter eggs, but one of the more subtle ones is in the car chase scene. When Nick Fury’s car crashes and he is subsequently attacked, he uses a gadget to cut a small hole in the bottom of the car and escape. This is a nod to the comics, where Fury has a flying car equipped with the same escape mechanism.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy is packed full of hidden easter eggs, given its cosmic setting. One of the most interesting ones is the appearance of Howard the Duck in the post-credit scene. His cameo was a nod to the infamous 1986 Howard the Duck movie, which was also directed by James Gunn.
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Avengers: Age of Ultron is another Avengers team-up movie that is light on hidden easter eggs, though they do make an appearance. During the scene when Tony Stark enters Thor’s vision, he sees the Tesseract and subsequently creates an artificial intelligence called Ultron. This implies that the mind stone, which was encased in the scepter, had something to do with Ultron’s creation.
Doctor Strange (2016)
Doctor Strange has several hidden easter eggs, but one of the most intriguing is the mention of the White Widow plant. In the comics, the plant can be used to create a powerful healing serum, which could potentially be introduced in the MCU as a way to heal injured heroes or people.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Infinity War featured a plethora of hidden easter eggs, but one of the less obvious ones is the appearance of the Red Skull on Vormir. This is a big deal because it reveals what happened to the villain after his disappearance in Captain America: The First Avenger. Additionally, it was revealed later that the Red Skull became the Stonekeeper, protecting the Soul Stone from anyone unworthy of possessing it.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Endgame is the culmination of the Marvel Cinematic Universe so far, and it is no surprise that it is packed full of hidden easter eggs. One of the most significant ones is the final shot of the movie, which pans over a makeshift statue of Iron Man, with the words “proof that Tony Stark has a heart.” This is a direct reference to the first Iron Man movie, where Tony gives Pepper Potts a replica of his arc reactor set in resin, and explains that it is proof that he has a heart.
In conclusion, Marvel movies are full of hidden easter eggs, both subtle and obvious. These easter eggs reward attentive viewers, and give them something to look for on repeat viewings. Whether it is a reference to a certain comic book or a cameo from a beloved Marvel character, these easter eggs help to build the Marvel universe, and make it even more engaging and exciting for fans.