Like all of Marvel Studios’ movies before it , Captain America: The Winter Soldier is filled with Easter eggs and references that fans of the comics will appreciate.
Such is the case when you create a well thought out universe.
Different Lists
Steve Rogers’ pop culture to do list varied from country to country. Above you will see the US version on top, with the UK one below it. We have some more examples here.
Sam Wilson aka Falcon
The average movie goer may not know, but Falcon is a longtime ally of Captain America. Sam Wilson aka The Falcon was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Gene Colan, and introduced in Captain America #117 (Sept. 1969), the character is known as mainstream comics’ first African-American superhero.
Stephen Strange
Stephen Strange isn’t the only character hinted at in Sitwell’s rambling, making mention of “a valedictorian in Iowa City” and a man located in Cairo, Egypt. The mentioning of Cairo points to only one man in the Marvel Universe: Moon Knight.
A former mercenary transformed into the Egyptian Moon god Khonshu’s physical avatar, Marc Spector would go on to become a vengeful spirit. Many refer to him as Marvel’s Batman… with issues.
A Marvel Netflix series would be great in my opinion.
Agent 13
Not so much an an Easter egg as something you may have missed. Agent 13’s name is Sharon Carter… as in Peggy……yeah awkward.
Avengers Tower
During the targeting sequence for Project Insight, one of the cross-hairs points to the redesigned Stark Tower in Manhattan, still sporting the “A” from the end of The Avengers.
Senator Stern
Tony Stark’s Congressional nemesis makes a cameo appearance. I guess Congress wasn’t an evil enough an organization to be a part of, he’s HYDRA too. They even get him to say Hail HYDRA, well whisper it.
Hawkeye
SHIELD agent Clint Barton aka Hawkeye wasn’t in the film, there was something hinting at his relationship with Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow
Ed Brubaker
The writer responsible for bringing Bucky Barnes back to life in his hallmark run in the Captain America comics, as the silent, machine-like Winter Soldier, makes a cameo as one of the scientists working on the brainwashed assassin.
Crossbones
Brock Rumlow is the S.T.R.I.K.E. team leader and a HYDRA sleeper agent inside of S.H.I.E.L.D. who fights Falcon at the end. He manages to survive the big helicarrier crash into Triskelion, but not without some serious facial and body scarring that could eventually cause him to wear a mask like his comic counterpart.
Agent Carter
Peggy Carter was instrumental in establishing S.H.I.E.L.D.
WarGames
A classic ’80s movie about an evil supercomputer that could destroy the world. Referenced by Black Widow, who says the film’s key line: “Shall we play a game?”
Baron Von Strucker
He doesn’t get mentioned by name, but Strucker is one of the villains from Avengers: Age of Ultron, seen in the mid-credits scene played by Thomas Kretschmann.
The Twins
Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen, are mentioned by Strucker’s assistant as the only two to survive the experiments they’ve been conducting with Loki’s staff. From the way Quicksilver is bouncing off the walls, it’s safe to say they’re being held against their will.
Loki’s sceptre
In the same scene featuring Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver we catch a glimpse of something a little more familiar – Loki’s sceptre. The Avengers never explained what exactly happened to this staff, so it seems that HYDRA has it. But is this confirmation that Loki could return in Avengers: Age of Ultron?
Familar faces
The nerdy Triskelion soldier and Apple genius are both connected to Community, the cult-hit NBC comedy that brought directors Joe and Anthony Russo to Marvel’s attention. Danny Pudi (above) stars in the series as Abed, his buddy Donald Glover is part of the Derrick Comedy group, which also includes D.C Pierson (above).
Isn’t Abed Batman?
Batroc
This is another one that isn’t so much an Easter Egg as a nod to the comics. Batroc and Cap have a long history.
He’s known as Batroc the Leaper in the comics:
“Batroc has no superhuman abilities, but is in peak physical condition in every respect. He is an Olympic-level weightlifter and has extraordinary agility and reflexes. His leg muscles are particularly well developed enabling him to leap great distances with the equity of an Olympic athlete. He is an expert hand-to-hand combatant and specializes in Savate (French-style kickboxing). He is also a skilled military tactician, having formerly been in the French Foreign Legion.”
Lemura
Iron Man got two mentions. The first is when it is revealed that he was responsible for the helicarriers upgrade, having had an up close and personal look at their engines in The Avengers. This refers to the scene when Iron Man had to manually start one of the engines – almost getting sucked into it in the process.
Then, in return for a favor, Alexander Pierce (Robert Redford) demanded that Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) ensures that Iron Man attends Pierce’s niece’s birthday party. “And not just a flyby,” said Pierce, “he’s got to mingle.”
The Hulk also got a mention, or at least his alter ego Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) does. Explaining his ability to survive death, Fury mentioned a toxin that Banner had developed to help with his slight anger management issues. Unfortunately it didn’t work for the green hero, but Fury was able to use it to help fake his own death.
Stan Lee
Stan Lee appears in his customary cameo as a Smithsonian security guard who doesn’t really do the best job, as Cap manages to snag his old costume withou getting noticed.
Future of Cap
During the first fight scene between the Cap and the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), there was a bit of a pause on the image above. The Winter Soldier’s stance and pose with the Cap’s shield could be a hint into the future of the Captain America franchise. Don’t forget Stan has a nine-picture deal with Marvel. Chris Evan’s deal is for six, meaning after the Avengers 3 it might be time to pass the shield. In the comics Bucky does replace Rogers as Captain America after his death.
Credits
Comic book fans will already know artist David Mack’s work on titles such as Daredevil and Kabuki, his creator-owned project. He’s also the one responsible for Captain America: The Winter Soldier’s stylish graphics during the film’s closing credits. The names of the film’s cast and crew are complemented perfectly by Mack’s streamlined, minimalist art.
Irwin Fletcher
I'm an LA journalist who really lives for his profession. I have also published work as Jane Doe in various mags and newspapers across the globe. I normally write articles that can cause trouble but now I write for FTN because Nerds are never angry, so I feel safe.
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