With the release of The Avengers only a few weeks away I have began to imagine what easter eggs Joss Whedon has in store. What makes it more interesting is that Marvel Studios are keen to bring The Submariner, Doctor Strange and the Black Panther amongst many others to the big screen. Certainly, a few nods to these characters would indeed be welcomed but we also know that Joss is not going to litter the movie with easter egg references. Therefore, if some the above-mentioned projects are what fans can expect to see in cinemas, then ideally some of the easter eggs references in The Avengers should be aimed at these characters. I have compiled a list of some of the easter eggs I would like to see in The Avengers. Included is how I think they could be integrated into the film.
1) Black Panther
The thing about Black Panther, or rather a movie about him and his country of Wakanda, is that the story can be very relevant. Perhaps not exactly relatable, but at least aspects about Wakanda being seen as a metaphor for how the rest of the world exploits Africa for its natural resources. I am strongly in favour of a solo Black Panther movie. Therefore, what a better way to introduce the notion of the character, than via The Avengers? Whilst it seems certain T’Challa himself won’t make an appearance, it would make sense to expand on the Wakandan easter egg from Iron Man 2. Jeffrey Wright was at one time apparently on The Avengers set. The immediate reaction from fans was that he could be Thanos. Whereas I can definitely see the actor as ideal for the part, I got to thinking what other character he could play in the context of The Avengers movie. What if he was playing a Wakandan emissary? In Captain America, when Steve Rogers is given his shield, he is told that it is made up of the rare metal Vibranium and that all the Vibranium that was available was used to make the shield. Well, an idea for an easter egg would be for some kind of Wakandan delegate or emissary visit the SHIELD helicarrier and to give a gift to S.H.I.E.L.D. Wakanda generally does not involve itself with the rest of the world, however, perhaps considering the circumstances of the movie, they feel that the Vibranium would be an asset. Perhaps Stark Industries has placed an order for the metal for a special project…say for some extra strong armour capable of withstanding a Hulk attack.
2) Namor
Like with the Black Panther, I think it would be a good idea to expand on the Namor easter egg which was also seen in Iron Man 2. In case you missed it or forgot, an Oracle Industries logo was seen several times at the Stark Expo in Iron Man 2. Namor, using money from sunken treasure he retrieved, bought a corporation which he renamed Oracle Industries. It has been hinted that Iron Man 3 would follow the
Demon in The Bottle storyline. Namor features quite a bit as an adversary to Iron Man in that story. It would be a natural lead in to Iron Man 3 to include a reference to Prince Namor.
3) Doctor Strange
Okay, so I am thinking a Nip/Tuck style reference here. Before Stephen Strange became a practitioner of the mystical arts he was a gifted but egotistical medical doctor. Kevin Feige stated that Marvel Cinematic Universe cracked the cosmic side with Thor and that Dr Strange would be the linchpin for the mystical side. If variety was the order of the day, than Feige could not be more right. I think that a Doctor Strange movie could find some inspiration from Batman Begins indicating that the timeline in a movie based on The Sorcerer Supreme would occur mostly after events of
The Avengers.
4) Ant Man, Wasp and Pym Particles
I don’t think there would be anybody against the idea of using Ultron at some point in
The Avengers franchise. Dr Henry Pym created the cybernetic android called Ultron who, in the comics, became one of The Avengers’s toughest foes. Ultron himself created the being called The Vision who in turn joined The Avengers. In staying true to the resource material, any incarnations of Ultron will require Pym. Although we know that Hank Pym or Janet van Dyne won’t appear in the movie, then at least alluding to their existence would be ideal. Since they were omitted from this initial Avengers roster I can imagine that Joss Whedon would at least include an easter egg reference whether it be the mention of Pym Particles or even the idea of building a prison capable of holding super villains.
5)A.I.M and MODOK
In the comics AIM (Advanced Idea Mechnics), a terrorist organisation that uses advanced science and technology, has several fronts which include Targo Corporation, International Data Integration and Control, Cadenza Industries and Koenig and Strey as well as a base of operations in New York. A nod could come like it did with the Oracle Industries easter egg in Iron Man 2. Since A.I.M is a branch of Hydra and The Red Skull used the Cosmic Cube as an ultimate weapon in Captain America, then it is feasible to reason that A.I.M. might be trying to create a new tesseract. Also, they might know that S.H.I.E.L.D is in possession of the Cube. A.I.M uses a nuclear submarine in the Atlantic (in the comics) and it is possible that it is used to spy on the Helicarrier. A simple easter egg could come in the form of a report of a missing consignment of Vibranium that SH.I.E.L.D or Stark Industries was supposed to receive.
6) Hulkbuster Armour
There are several scenes depicting Stark trying to provoke Bruce Banner to Hulk out, mostly for laughs, but could Tony have a Hulkbuster armour prototype he’s been waiting to test?
7) Heroes for Hire
Since part of the story of the movie takes place in New York, perhaps a sign advertising the Heroes for Hire could be a way to introduce the Luke Cage and Iron Fist onto the Marvel cinematic universe. Maybe S.H.I.E.L.D. uses the two when and as it needs an investigation that is off the books.
These are only a few examples and are just some that I think have a shot of making it into the movie. There are, however, many more such as Guardians of the Galaxy, but those are on a cosmic level. Please share some of your easter egg ideas whether they are a little more closer to Earth or cosmic. Happy Easter and Passover to everyone.
Marvel Studios presents in association with Paramount Pictures “Marvel’s The Avengers”--the super hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel super heroes Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.
Starring Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson, & directed by Joss Whedon from a screenplay by Joss Whedon, “Marvel’s The Avengers” is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since. Prepare yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effects, when “Marvel’s The Avengers” assemble on May 4, 2012. The film is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. In addition to "Marvel's The Avengers," Marvel Studios will release a slate of films based on the Marvel characters including "Iron Man 3" on May 3, 2013!; and “Thor 2” on November 15, 2013.