Like a lot of big films these days, Charlie's Angels has multiple end-credits scenes, and they are stuffed with fun cameos. Starring Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, and Ella Balinska, Charlie's Angels serves as both a reboot and a semi-continuation of the iconic franchise that began with the 1976 television show. Years later, the show got the big-screen treatment with two films in the early 2000s starring Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu. There was also a heavily disliked television reboot in 2011; it was cancelled after one season. Each iteration follows a trio of female spies who work for the Townsend Agency, which is run by the mysterious and always-unseen Charlie.
The new film follows Angels Sabina (Stewart) and Jane (Balinska) as they work with a young engineer named Elena (Scott), who is concerned that her company's new product could prove dangerous in the wrong hands. Their mission takes them around the world and through many twists and turns as Sabina, Jane, and Elena learn to work together. Elizabeth Banks co-stars as their handler, Bosley, and she also directed the film.
Charlie's Angels initially starred Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson, and Jaclyn Smith (though over the years other actresses joined and left), and while on the surface it was a feminist spy tale, it was also criticized for objectifying its leads. The iterations that followed attempted to play up the female-empowerment angle, and this new reboot does the same. Banks brings this home in the six end-credits scenes, almost all of which feature fun cameos of real-life women.
Jaclyn Smith as Kelly Garrett
The first end-credits scene features new recruit Elena (Scott) being introduced to Kelly Garrett, played by Jaclyn Smith. As mentioned before, Smith played one of the original Angels. In fact, she was the only original Angel to appear in every episode of the show, and she also made a cameo in the 2003 film Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle.
This further shows how the new Charlie's Angels is connected to the previous installments. Early on in the film, pictures of John Bosley (Patrick Stewart) with each group of Angels from the TV show and films are shown during his retirement party, indicating that they are all a part of the same universe. The Townsend Agency began in the 70s with the first trio of spies, but over the years, under Bosley and Charlie's leadership, it flourished and grew into a large network. Now there are multiple Bosleys and countless spies around the world. Smith's presence reinforces the connected universe and serves as a nice Easter egg for fans.
Danica Patrick As A Driving Instructor
In the second scene, Elena completes a difficult driving course, and her instructor is none other than Danica Patrick. The first woman to ever win an IndyCar series race, Patrick is the most successful female race car driver of all time. She has participated in the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500 multiple times and was the first woman to win a NASCAR Cup series pole. Auto racing is a traditionally male-dominated area, with only a small group of women racing aside from Patrick. While she is retired now, her accomplishments cannot be understated. It's a thrill to see her working as an Angel considering how influential she is in real life.
Ronda Rousey As A Fight Instructor
Next, Elena gets some hand-to-hand practice with WWE star Ronda Rousey. A formidable fighter, Rousey was a part of the Ultimate Fighting Championship's first female fight, and in 2018, she became the first female fighter to be inducted to the UFC Hall of Fame. She is the only woman to win both a UFC and WWE championship and stands among the most well-known athletes of her generation.
In addition to her wrestling career, Rousey has appeared in a handful of films and television shows. She has had roles in The Expendables 3, Furious 7, and Mile 22, and was recently featured as a recurring character on Fox's 9-1-1. In fact, she also once petitioned for the role of Captain Marvel - though that eventually went to Brie Larson. Like Patrick, Rousey represents a woman who has found great success in a male-dominated area, further demonstrating the girl-power message of Charlie's Angels.
Laverne Cox As A Bomb Instructor
Taking a step away from more physical pursuits, Elena next must learn how to defuse a bomb. Surrounded by her fellow Angels recruits, she is taught by Laverne Cox, an actress and prominent LGBTQ activist. Like the instructors that came before her, Cox has the distinction of being the first in several areas. She was the first openly transgender performer to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy for her role on Orange is the New Black, and later became the first transgender woman to win a Daytime Emmy award. Cox is one of the leading activists for the transgender community, and her inclusion in the Angels program sends a subtle, but vital message: Women of all kinds can become Angels, and that includes trans women. It would have been nice to see Cox in the film instead of just during a short end-credits scene, but her presence is special all the same.
Hailee Steinfeld, Lili Reinhart, Aly Raisman, and Chloe Kim as Angel recruits
Elena's last official trial is by far the most crowded, with four cameos crammed into one scene. Elena's group of Angel recruits must learn to jump out of a plane (except for Elena herself, who must land the plane instead), and that group includes Hailee Steinfeld, Lili Reinhart, Aly Raisman, and Chloe Kim. Steinfeld previously worked with Banks on Pitch Perfect 2 and currently stars in the Apple TV+ show Dickinson. Reinhart is best known for her role as Betty Cooper on Riverdale. Raisman is an gymnast who has won 3 Olympic gold medals and 2 World Championship gold medals, among many others. Kim became the youngest woman to win an Olympic snowboarding gold medal at the 2018 games and is the current World champion.
All together, the four women rank among the most well-known in their respective fields. Banks' decision to include a group of young, inspirational women caps off the film nicely and provides greater world-building. The Townsend Agency is always recruiting, and while it's unclear if the women are playing themselves, suggesting well-known women around the world are also spies adds a fun touch.
Elena gets her Angel wings
The sixth and final end-credits scene doesn't feature any cameos, but viewers are treated to Elena officially becoming an Angel. As she prepares to get the tattoo that will mark her as an Angel, she is welcomed to the Agency by Charlie (only through an audio message, of course). Sabina and Jane are by her side as she proudly declares she's ready for her wings.
Ending on this note clearly indicates there is a potential for sequels should this film do well. Expanding the Townsend Agency globally has opened the franchise up to many stories that could be told and a large cast of characters to support them. The final end-credits scene especially suggests Elena, Jane, and Sabina will be working together, providing ample opportunities to continue the franchise. The future is still unclear for Charlie's Angels, but the end-credits scenes suggest a bright one could be ahead.