Warning: Spoilers for Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is already being hailed as one of the best superhero movies in ages. It's also overflowing with Easter eggs, Marvel Comic references, and secret jokes. Since there are way too many for a fan to catch in one viewing, we've come to save the day.
The minds behind Sony's groundbreaking Spider-Man movie made it clear from the start that Into the Spider-Verse would be a labor of love, made by and for the most devoted comic book fans. However, even if readers are only familiar with Spider-Man's many movie reboots, there are too many loving references to count. Also, it isn't just superheroes, either, since the movie fills every inch of the frame with inside jokes too perfect to go unnoticed. From Steph Curry to Shaun of the Dead, Into the Spider-Verse is an Easter egg scavenger hunt like no other.
Of course, it wouldn't be a superhero "event" movie without teasing new characters, possible villains, or even theories on what Sony's larger Spider-Man Universe could build towards for future movies. So to make sure that we're backing up every Marvel fan who is too distracted by meeting Spider-Ham, Spider-Gwen, or any other variation of everyone's favorite neighborhood wallcrawler to spot them, we're collecting every reference and detail fans are most likely to miss, or forget. So with one last spoiler warning for fans who wish to hunt down these Easter eggs on their own without any clues, let's get started. Here is our breakdown of the 30 Things You Completely Missed In Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse.
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Chris Pine is The Perfect Hero
For all of the celebrities called upon to voice characters in the Spider-Man multiverse, none is more of a surprise than the voice of the Spider-Man audiences first meet. As the original Peter Parker of Miles’ reality, who better than to play the super-successful, universally-beloved, and massively-marketed Spider-Man than Chris Pine?
While many fans hoped to see Tobey Maguire get to imagine "What if his Spider-Man was truly the best?" the star of Star Trek is an incredible alternative (provided audiences even know that’s whose voice they’re hearing).
Spider-Man: Homecoming Reference
Even if Marvel Studios and Sony can’t come to a clear agreement on Spider-Man: Homecoming when Peter exerted his full strength to keep two halves of the Staten Island Ferry from splitting down the middle and sinking.
In Spider-Verse, it’s Chris Pine’s Peter keeping two buses from falling off opposite sides of the bridge. However, since this moment is an homage to Homecoming’s own Raimi Spider-Man movie homage, it’s every bit as epic for longtime fans.
The PS4 Spider-Man Suit
For those who thought that the best days of the Spider-Man video games were behind us, this year’s Spider-Man from Insomniac proved that the best may still be yet to come. With both the PlayStation 4 exclusive and Into the Spider-Verse looking to breathe new life into Peter Parker’s brand for Sony, it’s no surprise that the movie included the video game version.
No, the heroes of the movie don’t meet the actual version of Spidey from the game, but when they descend into Peter Parker’s secret underground lair, fans will just have to keep their eyes to the left of the screen to spot this Easter egg. In the wide collection of different Spider-Man suits and armor, the white-spider Insomniac costume can clearly be spotted.
Spider-Man's Clone, Ben Reilly
When Chris Pine’s original Spider-Man is finally unmasked after his demise, there’s one detail that is sure to confuse some fans (especially those who expect him to be the most widely recognized version). Fans will feel perfectly justified claiming that Peter Parker wasn’t blonde, but the movie’s decision to lighten Spidey’s locks is likely a next-level bit of fan service.
For starters, when Peter B. Parker gets an eyeful of the late Spidey’s face on a Times Square billboard, fans can see how the two men might actually be identical -- just worn differently over time (and colored by their obvious outlook on life). That similarity instantly raises the existence of Spider-Man’s actual comic book clone, Ben Reilly, also known to his fans as the Scarlet Spider. What color was this carbon-copy of Peter Parker's hair? Blonde.
Donald Glover's Own Community Cameo
Look, Donald Glover’s fans may never get over the fact that in some other world, in some parallel reality, the Community star actually got to play Miles Morales, as was always his dream. As a consolation prize, it’s hard to beat Glover’s chance to voice Miles’ Spider-Man in Disney XD’s Web Warriors series. Oh, and he got to play the role of Miles’ uncle Aaron in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
If that still isn’t enough, Into the Spider-Verse makes sure to give his campaigning a shout-out, but you’ll have to be a Community fan to spot it. When the action shifts into Uncle Aaron’s apartment, he’s watching Community -- specifically the episode and scene where Glover’s character wakes up dressed in Spidey pajamas. The moment is quick, but it actually contains three different layers of Donald Glover Easter eggs -- Spidey, Aaron, and Community.
Stan Lee's Animated Cameo
Even in animated form, fans knew that a Stan Lee cameo would be included in Into the Spider-Verse. As the first movie to include the Marvel creator since his ing, it’s fitting that this cameo will be the favorite for many. Lee has not just as a walk-on part, but the chance to play the costume shop owner who actually puts Miles Morales on the path to following Spider-Man’s literal legacy (no refunds on the costume, so you know it’s permanent).
Co-writer Phil Lord told Screen Rant in a Spider-Verse interview that while the cameo may have changed over time, the team knew they wanted it to be something special. “He had to do something that was formative for Miles," said Lord. "And we knew it had to be warm and a tribute to Stan and the work that he's done.”
Throwbacks to Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man
Looking at all of the evidence, it’s easy to see why the directors of Into the Spider-Verse actually did consider casting Tobey Maguire as a Spider-Man (roles that eventually went to Chris Pine and Jake Johnson). Even still, the obvious love for Sam Raimi and Maguire’s trilogy is on full display, with the movie recreating several iconic moments.
There’s Spider-Man using webs to try to slow down a speeding train, having a date with Mary Jane spoiled by a car tumbling through the front window of the restaurant, and even an upside-down kiss. None of the scenes appear exactly as they happened in Raimi’s movie, but they are clear nods all the same.
Peter B. Parker is Marvel's True Spider-Man
Casual audiences may assume that Chris Pine’s opening Spider-Man is intended to be “the comic book version of Spider-Man fans know” with a far more tragic twist in Miles’ universe. However, that’s not actually the truth, and the movie confirms it.
During the sequence in which Kingpin and his scientist manage to collapse the realities of Miles, Spider-Ham, Gwen, Spider-Man Noir, and Peter B. Parker, the monitor labels each of the heroes with their native Earths. As washed-up and out of shape as Peter B. Parker may be, he’s designated as Earth-616’s Spidey -- the official classification of Marvel’s core comic universe.
Oscar Isaac is Spider-Man 2099
Into the Spider-Verse saves one of its most popular variations on Spider-Man for its post-credits scene, finally explaining why Spider-Man 2099 (the future, flashy, and fan-favorite Spidey) didn’t get in on the movie’s action. One of the movie's biggest names is cast in the part, too. Oscar Isaac may not be instantly recognizable to some, but his casting is no coincidence.
In the comics, the future Spider-Man 2099’s real name is Miguel O’Hara, and is notable as another Latin hero to don the Spider-Man identity (Miles Morales being a descendent of Latin America and Africa). The difference may not mean much to some, but the casting of Isaac, the son of parents from Cuba and Guatemala means Into the Spider-Verse is even more culturally diverse (and comic-accurate) than fans realize.
The Post Credits Spider-Meme
Spider-Man 2099 is just one of the bombshells delivered to fans patient enough to sit through the credits, with the other guaranteed to be the very best joke for many viewers -- particularly those fond of Spider-Man memes -- because when Miguel instructs his A.I. to send him back to “where it all began,” his travel to the original 1960s Spider-Man cartoon is too perfect.
Imitating the animation style and sound degradation is one thing, but using Miguel to recreate one of the most recognizable Spider-Man memes on the Internet has our hopes high for a sequel. Assuming that Isaac and Miguel return, of course.
