If you follow the blog, you know we love nothing more than to include Easter Egg posts from the latest Marvel/Star Wars/Disney movies. This post includes all the Easter Eggs included in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 that we've seen over our four viewings or were mentioned to us during interviews with the cast and director/producer of the blockbuster hit. Here are 29 Easter Eggs you may have missed in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
Fair warning, if you haven’t seen the film yet, this post will include spoilers!
Seriously, this may ruin it for you if you have not yet watched Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, so STOP READING NOW if you don’t want to have anything ruined for you.
Last chance.
Okay, here we go.
1. Peter Quill / Star-Lord's Candy Logo T-shirt
When we interviewed Chris Pratt during the press junket for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, he mentioned the shirt Peter Quill/Star-Lord is wearing in much of the film he believed to be a logo from a candy package in GotG Vol. 1 James Gunn loved it so much he included it in the second film.
Screenshot from Territory Film Images
But, the language is actually a set of letters from Territory Studio, a company that specializes in motion graphics and interface design. They created the UI and VFX for the Guardians of the Galaxy side of the universe for the first film.
Screenshot from Territory Film Images
According to the Guardians of the Galaxy project page on Territory Studio, the letters on Star-Lord’s shirt are from the “Kyln” typeface.
Screenshot from Territory Film Images
2. Mainframe
Miley Cyrus is the voice of Mainframe. We broke that news during our interview with James Gunn last month.
As the camera pans to a severed robotic head at the end of the post-credit scene when the other Ravagers nod their intent to honor Yondu’s sacrifice and get the Ravagers back together, the robot can’t contain its excitement. That robotic head may be hard to identify, but James Gunn has confirmed it is Mainframe—an artificial intelligence (AI) created by Tony Stark that tasked with guarding an entire planet in the 31st Century.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2. Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki). Ph: Film Frame. ©Marvel Studios 2017
3. Ayesha
While she has a large role in the film, let's not ignore her larger presence and relationship in the film. She’s a big player in the comics. Ayesha was created to be the “perfect specimen of life by a group on Earth known as The Enclave.” Known as simply ‘Her,’ Ayesha/Kismet, her life was strongly tied to Marvel icon Adam Warlock. Ayesha was actually the Enclave’s second attempt at perfection in the comics. Their first attempt was known as ‘Him’ or Adam Warlock.
The cocoon in Thor 2
4. Ahem…Adam Warlock
You saw the cocoon in the end credits right? When we saw this in the theater, I gasped. And I literally had to hold my friend Tessa in her seat she jumped so high. “I shall call him Adam,” Ayesha said. We’re getting Adam/Magus and it’s going to be huge. Mark my words. Bring on the Soul Infinity Stone.
If you're good, you remember seeing the cocoon in The Collector's museum in Thor: The Dark World and Guardians of the Galaxy, too.
Adam Warlock/Magus is “The perfect creation” and infused with the Soul Infinity Stone, Warlock is one of the most revered stories in the entire Marvel cannon, IMHO.
Adam Warlock's was such a tease in Guardians of the Galaxy and Thor: The Dark World, but it's GotG Vol. 2 that makes it clear that the ultimate Marvel character is on his way to the MCU; the question is when.
Will Adam Warlock show up in Vol. 3 as an antagonist before redeeming himself and presumably joining the Guardians team? Or will we see him sooner? The actor cast to play the role of Warlock has yet to has yet to be revealed.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2. L to R: Yondu (Michael Rooker) and Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper). Ph: Film Frame. ©Marvel Studios 2017
5. Yondu’s Prototype Fin
While a bit fancier and wild than the stout and blocky mohawk Yondu rocked in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1, the Prototype Fin is much more like the one that Yondu wore in the comics. This nod to the comic version of Yondu also represented the more heroic version of Yondu that we see as he sacrifices himself for Star-Lord.
6. 1977 Mattel Football
Did you catch it? Are you a 70s kid? The handheld “device” Star-Lord uses to warn his team that the Abilisk is coming for the Sovereign batteries in the opening of the movie is a handheld version of the 1977 Mattel Football game. It has some clear modifications in the movie, but make no mistake of the origins. You can even see the “Mattel Electronics” text on the top of the console.
7. Zune/Awesome Mix. Vol. 3
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 uses the “Awesome Mix Vol. 2” that Peter’s mother, Meredith Quill, handed to him on her deathbed, so it stands to reason that Vol. 3 would face the issue of where those musical tracks would originate. That is no longer a question, because in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Peter’s replacement music listening device that comes from Kraglin is the Zune. The now-obsolete Microsoft device is being used by everyone on Earth, according to Kraglin, and Star-Lord's mind is blown to learn that there's upwards of 300 songs on that pocket-sized device.
8. Pac-Man
When Peter realizes he has to stop Ego, he taps into his father's celestial powers for an epic battle, which shows them both using some pretty crazy parlor tricks. However, the hilarious pop culture reference Quill makes earlier when talking about what he would build with his powers comes to life when we get taken back to the 80s as Peter transforms into Pac-Man to try to stop Ego.
9. Tullk
The Ravager Tullk we first see on planet Contraxia is a bounty hunter/mercenary from the Marvel Annihilation storyline. In the comics, he works for Ronan Accuser, the villain in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2..L to R: Stakar Ogord (Sylvester Stallone) and Yondu (Michael Rooker). Ph: Film Frame. ©Marvel Studios 2017
10. Stakar Ogord
Stakar Ogord, or Starhawk as he’s known in the Marvel comics, joins the MCU played by Sylvester Stallone. While it was no secret that Sly was in the film, it’s interesting to note that Marvel ran with the modern version of the Guardians team when it added Guardians to the MCU, but Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 gives the original Guardians new by introducing Starhawk. While Stakar is only in his human form in this film, that doesn’t discount the fact that there could be a transformation if he continues with the MCU.
Despite the fact that Yondu refers to him as “Stakar,” we know he is one of the elite/original members of the Ravagers and that Yondu and Starhawk were partners in the original cannon, so Yondu’s exile in this film is a deviation.
11. Martinex T’Naga
I love that James Gunn keeps bring in the original Guardians roster characters to the MCU! When Staker is talking to Yondu and tells him that his exile brings the Ravager leader no satisfaction, we see a head and neck of a new diamond-like character at Stakar’s side. Michael Rosenbaum, who read for the part of Star-Lord at one point, is the voice behind Martinex according to IMDB.
Martinex T’Naga is a descendant of human ancestors who lived on the now-former planet of Pluto, which gave him his crystalline skin and superhero ability to eject hot and cold from each of his hands. An outcast when his Pluvian race was wiped out, he teamed up with the other outcasts in the original Guardians.
Martinex T’Naga is a member of the original Guardians of the Galaxy who has frequently been referred to as the brains behind this team. Born on Pluto in the 31st Century, his ancestors were from the continent of Africa on Earth.
Photo from http://marvel.com/universe/Charlie-27#axzz4iOZNOQBk
12. Charlie-27
It’s Stakar who reveals to us that Yondu is still regarded within the hearts of the Ravagers, which begins the sequence of the revealing of the other Ravager leaders. The first in the sequence is Ving Rhames, who brings to life Marvel hero Charlie-27. Where as Martinex was a human who was engineered to survive on Pluto, Charlie-27 was conversely engineered to survive on Jupiter. The result of this engineering was a super-sized, super-strong, super-dense superhero gifted with military strategy and unwavering strength.
13. Aleta
One of the most interesting additions to the Ravager team is Aleta Ogord, played by Michelle Yeoh. Aleta is the adopted sister of Stakar Ogord. What's interesting to note is that in the origin story, Stakar is adopted by the Ogord family and eventually gains powers from ‘the Hawk God’ along with Aleta. The siblings merge to form Starhawk and both use the powers, but only one of them is able to stay in physical form.
Since Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 shows both Stakar and Aleta in a separated form, it’s would seem that James Gunn is planning to not show them in that origin context. Maybe they remain separate, or maybe they both are gifted with Starhawk’s abilities. However, the complicated nature and how tumultuous their relationship has gotten over the years based on the source material, I'd be surprised if all of their origin or source material is adapted for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Photo from http://marvel.com/universe/Krugarr_(Earth-691)#axzz4iOZNOQBk
14. Krugarr, the Sorcerer Supreme
Among all of the Ravagers after Yondu’s death, there is one in particular that stands out as an alien-looking, snake-esque red figure standing upright on its tail that’s probably the easiest character to identify: Krugarr, the Sorcerer Supreme of the future. Krugarr, personally trained by the same Ancient One who handed Stephen Strange the reins back in the 20th Century. Pay close attention Doctor Strange fans.
While he doesn’t speak, Krugarr instead shows his enthusiasm by conjuring up the same magic as in Doctor Strange, down to the glyphs that encompass his hands as he creates the image.
Thor: Ragnarok. Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum). Photo: Jasin Boland. ©Marvel Studios 2017
15. Grandmaster
We love the dancing scenes in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and how the credits are surrounded with snippets of the cast shown getting down to the soundtrack. Watch for Jeff Goldblum as the Grandmaster shaking his groove thang on the right side of the screen.
16. Howard the Duck
I love that even though James Gunn has made it clear in interviews that he doesn't even like Howard the Duck, he keeps making appearances. Apparently Howard the Duck is living the good life on Contraxia (as well as the credits) as he makes another appearance in the second Guardians of the Galaxy installment.
17. Stan Lee as Uatu The Watcher
Have we finally figured out what all these incredible and hilarious cameos from Stan Lee all these years meant? Are they bigger than simply cameos? Stan Lee's omnipresence and cameos are iconic in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel fans always enjoy the Stan Lee's cameos across studios, universes, and eras playing everything from random guys on the street to police officers to an astronaut. Fans have theorized that Stan Lee is actually Uatu the Watcher, the member of an ancient race of observers charged with keeping up on happenings on the planet Earth. Guardians 2 stops just short of revealing Lee as Uatu himself.
During the sequence of jumps Rocket and Yondu make across space towards Ego, they zip past astronaut Stan Lee sharing his experiences on Earth to a small gathering of aliens. These are the Watchers, and as Lee recounts his tales of playing “a Federal Express man” (in Captain America: Civil War) the camera focuses one Watcher who maybe the real Uatu the Watcher. Lee is credited as the Marvel Universe’s Watcher Informant. Stan Lee is also a cookie credit.
Photo from http://marvel.com/universe/Eternity#axzz4iOZNOQBk
18. Star-Lord Gets a Glimpse of “Eternity”
Given everything going on in the scene when it happens, it could be really easy to miss. As Ego tries to convince Peter Quill to help him conquer the world, Ego changes Peter's world with a touch on his forehead. In that moment, Peter’s eyes are replaced by starscapes that allow him to see to the ends of the universe, or to eternity. Before he becomes completely lost, Peter Quill is standing with his mouth wide open in awe of what he is seeing and he speaks the single word: “Eternity.” I think it means much more than the fact that he is seeing to the ends of the universe. This is NOT just a throwaway word.
“Eternity” is an actual figure—not merely a concept—in the Marvel Comics Universe. In Marvel’s cosmic mythology, Eternity embodies the concept of reality and time within the universe. When Eternity is paired with Death and Infinity—and Entity, Galactus, and Oblivion—Eternity represents a cosmic force. It’s more likely that Star-Lord’s vision of Eternity is his own reality and not a gift from Ego.
The first Guardians movie showed a temple mural depicting Eternity, Entropy, Death, and Infinity surrounding the six Infinity Stones. I'm going to venture a bet that the word “Eternity” here is vastly bigger than simply Ego trying to manipulate Peter.
19. Yondu’s Blue Frog and Troll Doll
All the feels. I actually cried during this movie. I'll admit it. As the Guardians lay Yondu to rest and dressed him with ceremonial ribbons and surrounded him with meaningful trinkets, there is one trinket, in particular, that stood out: a small, blue crystal frog. This blue frog is the same one Yondu added to his trinket collection for the console of his ship when visiting the Broker in Guardians of the Galaxy.
That blue frog has seen a lot of scene time in the two Guardians movies, and it has been directly tied to the discovery of an Infinity Stone. When Yondu was shot out of the sky over Xandar during the battle with Ronan's forces, that blue frog was too. The frog is the only item Yondu retrieves before Ronan’s forces arrive to surround him, and it becomes a symbol for Yondu’s decision to do the right thing and pursue a cause more heroic career. It’s only fitting it should find its way to Yondu's side at the end.
Just after placing the blue frog with Yondu, we then see Peter place the Troll doll at Yondu’s side. That Troll doll is the one that is disguised as an Infinity Stone in the final scene of the first GotG film.
If you recall, it was said to even be suicide to open the container that held the Infinity Stone, instead of simply selling it, so Yondu had to know that Peter Quill, the boy he mentored and trained had pulled one over on him. As the Troll doll is revealed, Yondu simply grins. The Troll represents the fatherly connection between Yondu and Peter and makes sense that Peter would want to have that be an object laid to rest with him.
20. One Final Arrow
Once it becomes obvious that the other Ravager factions are going to reconsider their decision to exile Yondu and arrive to honor his death, the “Colors of Ogord” flash over Yondu's grave. As Peter Quill and rest of the Guardians mourn Yondu's death, his ashes are spread out into the galaxy.
As the fireworks go off, the particles condense into an arrow-shaped pinkish-red hue. That arrowhead is the first piece of the arrow you can spot and a nice tribute to Yondu's memory.
21. Cosmo!
It wouldn't be a Guardians film without a Cosmo appearance! He returns in the film’s post-credits sequence to give the Collector some kisses, having been seen fleeing where the Power Stone erupted.
22. Kronan Cameo
We get a quick glimpse of two large rock monsters in battle with armor that looks like the kind typically associated with Korg, the opponent of Thor during the jump sequence with Rocket, Yondu, Groot, and Kraglin. We know that Korg is also set to appear in Thor: Ragnarok, so is this meant to be a nod toward the character and film or just another Kronan battle that Marvel fans are sure to notice?
23. A’askavaria
When Rocket makes contact with Gamora on planet EGO, he tells her he, Groot, and Yondu are headed to the surface. While the Eclector’s main core remains in orbit with Kraglin at the helm, Rocket informs his teammates they're heading down to rescue them in “an old piece of construction equipment Yondu once used to slice open the bank of A’askavaria.”
If that name sounds familiar, it should. It's the name that first connected Peter Quill to Drax aboard the Kyln in Guardians. Peter told Drax the story how he once had to seduce an A’askavarian in Nova Records for a job before she left him with a scar for remembrance. That story led Drax to call Peter the man “who has lain with an A’askavarian” in the first film.
24. Ego and Celestial
Ego being an immortal—known as a “Celestial”—born of the cosmos itself and that he is truly alone in his Celestial existence goes somewhat against Marvel cannon.
In the GotG Vol. 1, another Celestial is seen. In the Collector’s holographic explanation of the Infinity Stones, we see the Power Stone's ability to eradicate life on an entire planet. The Power Stone is seen glowing bright purple in the staff of a colossal being, similarly as Eson the Searcher. Eson is one of the several Celestials in Marvel Comics. So is Eson an easter egg or just a nod to fans? And in the MCU, is only Ego really the only true Celestial defined thus far?
25. Vorker's Eye
Oh, the eye joke. I die. Remember in the first film when Rocket has the team collecting items to take down Ronan and save Xandar? Rocket insisted he needed the Ravager's robotic eye, which was a callback to the joke when they were breaking out of the Kyln prison and Rocket insisted he needed the prisoner's robotic leg. In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, when Baby Groot is on the hunt for Yondu's prototype fin, he brings Vorker's robotic eye on one the failed attempts—a call back to the previous jokes about needing robotic body parts.
26. The Hoff
The pop culture references are strong in this film. Kevin Bacon wore the pop culture icon crown in the first Guardians with his Footloose antics, but it's all about David Hasselhoff a.k.a The Hoff in Vol. 2. After Peter reveals to Gamora that he used to his schoolmates that his dad was the Knight Rider actor and singer, The Hoff himself makes an appearance.
In the movie, Hasselhoff himself serenades the audience during a song titled “Guardians Inferno,” written by James Gunn and composer Tyler Bates. A band was also artificially created for the performance, with the song credited to “The Sneepers ft. David Hasselhoff ” it turns out.
27. Tween Groot
We all love Baby Groot, but Tween Groot is everything. I felt Like Peter Quill was in one of my kids' rooms. That end-credit was ah-mazing.
While many end credits are simply text on a solid background, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 has a gorgeous animated sequence. The core cast dances, and I suggest you count the number of times “I am Groot” appears in the text. I counted 8 inline and one more as a graphic element. Could this be the secret Easter egg director James Gunn has been hinting at?
28. Berhert
Where are my Hulk fans? Yeah, you die-hards caught it, didn’t you?
While the Guardians are arguing over whether or not Star-Lord or Rocket is a better pilot during their flight from the Sovereign forces, Gamora points out a nearby planet that that can stop at for safety. The name? “Berhert.” The name also appears along with the coordinates when the Milano crashes to its surface. Berhert is the home of the Sagittarians, a race amidst the center of the Galaxy Master conflict in 1969 The Incredible Hulk #111.
29. Scrump
When the Ravagers are sleeping, we see one of them sleeping with a Scrump doll (the same Scrump that Lilo from Lilo and Stitch uses as a security blanket). That Scrump is later seen laid to rest with Yondu.
Did you catch any that we missed? What was your favorite Easter Egg?
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I can’t wait to see this! Mainly because I love Chris Pratt! Such a cutie!!!
Time to go back to the theater and see it again it appears.