Warning: This article contains spoilers for Spider-Man: No Way Home.
The third MCU Spider-Man solo movie, Spider-Man: No Way Home, is a love letter to the entire franchise and it's packed with Easter eggs and Marvel references. There's a sense in which Spider-Man: No Way Home is an origin story, because it ends with Peter Parker finally becoming a version of Spider-Man a little more true to the comics - a solo operator with a secret identity, one whose personal life is seriously screwed up by his superhero persona.
But Spider-Man: No Way Home is also a love letter to the entire Spider-Man franchise. It features the return of Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire reprising their roles as Spider-Men from other dimensions. There are countless riffs on the comics, the Spider-Man films, and the wider MCU. What's more, because parts of Spider-Man: No Way Home are concurrent with the Disney+ TV show Hawkeye, there are a number of direct references between the two.
Attentive viewers will pick up numerous Easter eggs and Marvel references in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Some are obvious, some are subtle, and the detail to some of the sets is particularly remarkable. Here are all the Spider-Man and Marvel Easter eggs in the movie.
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A Subtle Nod To Rogers: The Musical
The opening scene of Spider-Man: No Way Home picks up straight after Spider-Man: Far From Home, with a horrified Peter Parker reacting in shock as his secret identity is revealed to the world. He and MJ soon wind up swinging across the rooftops - and, although it's easy to miss, in the background, there are two billboards for Rogers: The Musical. In-universe, this is a musical dedicated to the memory of Steve Rogers, and it features prominently in Hawkeye episode 1.
Spider-Man: No Way Home Features Repeated Nods To Steve Ditko
The MCU has frequently paid homage to the late, great Stan Lee - but Spider-Man: No Way Home is full of references to his co-creator, the legendary artist Steve Ditko. The "Public Enemy #1" sign shows a traditional Ditko image, one he repeatedly used to display Peter Parker's secret identity. Meanwhile, there are at least two instances of "Ditko" graffiti in the film - on the roof of Midtown High and a FEAST truck.
The Return of Delmar's Deli
Delmar (played by Hemky Madera) has been a recurring background character in the MCU's Spider-Man trilogy. He doesn't actually appear in Spider-Man: No Way Home, but there's still a subtle reference to him - because when Peter and MJ clamber out of a sewer, they're in front of Delmar's Bodega, clearly rebuilt after it was destroyed in Spider-Man: Homecoming. According to a promotional copy of the Daily Bugle published ahead of Spider-Man: No Way Home, his business is doing pretty well.
The Department of Damage Control Return In Spider-Man: No Way Home
The Department of Damage Control are called in to confront Spider-Man. In the comics, Damage Control is an organization dedicated to helping clear up after superhero battles. The MCU's version of Damage Control was introduced in Spider-Man: Homecoming, which revealed it was founded by Tony Stark in the aftermath of The Avengers. They appear to have now been fully absorbed into the U.S. government, and they cause serious problems for Peter Parker now his secret identity is public knowledge.
Nick Fury Has Been Off-Planet - For Quite Some Time
As far as Peter Parker's concerned, he's spent the last few weeks working alongside Nick Fury and Maria Hill, unaware that, as Spider-Man: Far From Home's post-credits revealed, he was actually working with Fury's shapeshifting Skrull allies. Unlike Spider-Man, Damage Control knows Nick Fury has been in space for at least a year - a detail that suggests his mission to space kicked off shortly after Avengers: Endgame. This is clear setup for Secret Invasion, in which Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury will return.
The MCU's Matt Murdock Makes His Big-Screen Debut
Marvel Studios may not care much about the continuity established in the old Marvel Television shows, but they clearly recognize some of the superb casting. Spider-Man: No Way Home sees Charlie Cox reprise the role of Matt Murdock, who he previously played in the Marvel Netflix Daredevil show. He's actually the second Daredevil actor to make their way into the mainstream MCU, with Vincent D'Onofrio appearing in Hawkeye. It's too soon to say whether the Marvel Netflix shows are canon - Marvel Studios may well have done a soft reboot - but certainly this version of Matt has superpowers.
MJ's Real Name Confirmed In Spider-Man: No Way Home
Spider-Man: No Way Home reveals MJ really is the MCU's version of Mary Jane Watson - because apparently her full name is "Michelle Jones-Watson," although she's dropped the Watson, presumably because her parents divorced. In the comics, Mary Jane's father Philip verbally abused MJ and her mother Gayle, and the family broke up after he began to move on to physical violence.
Aunt May's FEAST Job In Spider-Man: No Way Home
Spider-Man: Far From Home revealed Aunt May volunteered with charities such as the Salvation Army. She's heavily involved with a group called FEAST in Spider-Man: No Way Home, and her volunteering there becomes a major plot point when Norman Osborn turns up at the shelter. In the comics, FEAST's soup kitchen was actually set up by a crime lord named Mr. Negative, and May Parker stumbled into the thick of his plans. FEAST's profile has increased significantly after the Spider-Man PS4 game, and especially the Spider-Man: Miles Morales game, which had Miles volunteer there as well. It's not the only Miles Morales connection in Spider-Man: No Way Home, however.
The Return of Iron Man's Dum-E
Happy Hogan puts the Parkers up at his own home - and there are, naturally, quite a few amusing Easter eggs there. The most noticeable of these is Dum-E, the hydraulic arm robot Tony Stark kept in his workshop, and it's clearly one of Happy's mementos of his former boss and good friend. Attentive viewers will also notice a Downton Abbey DVD in the apartment; Happy was seen watching the show in Iron Man 3, when he clearly related to Branson.
Happy Hogan's Old Photo Is A Callback To Iron Man 3
There's another smart Iron Man 3 callback when Happy Hogan's photo is shown on TV. He has his hair in an appalling hairstyle - and it's reminiscent of one he had in Iron Man 3's flashback sequences, suggesting the photo on TV dates from around the year 2000.
Howard Stark Makes A Return At Midtown High - After A Fashion
A mural at Midtown High shows some of the greatest scientists of the past - and it includes Tony's father Howard Stark. Amusingly, this mural is both Easter egg and continuity nod, because Howard was seen on the same mural in Spider-Man: Homecoming. It looks as though Midtown High hasn't seen the need to replace him with his son just yet.
Wong Is The MCU's Sorcerer Supreme
Spider-Man: No Way Home confirms Wong is the Sorcerer Supreme. According to Doctor Strange, Wong took the title by default after Strange was Blipped out of existence - a comment that confirms Wong survived Thanos' snap. This certainly explains Wong's increased presence in the MCU Phase 4 and provides context for Shang-Chi & the Legend of the Ten Rings' post-credits scene, in which he was conferring with Bruce Banner and Captain Marvel. It's reasonable to assume Wong has turned the Sorcerer Supreme into a liaison with the superhero community.
Doctor Strange's Memory Spell Is From The Comics
The memory spell Doctor Strange uses to try to solve Peter Parker's problems actually has a basis in the comics - after a fashion. In the comics, Spider-Man revealed his secret identity to the world during the "Civil War" event but came to regret his decision. He struck a bargain with Mephisto, Marvel's version of the Devil, to rewrite history; Mephisto created a false timeline in which Doctor Strange had used a memory-altering spell to make the world forget Peter Parker was really Spider-Man. Meanwhile, in terms of visual effects, it's interesting to note Doctor Strange's spell uses runes. This is very different from the kind of magic seen in the MCU's first three phases, but builds nicely on rune magic seen in WandaVision.
The Sanctum Sanctorum's Lower Level Is Revealed
Doctor Strange didn't really delve into the mythology of the Sanctum Sanctorum, but it's been more important in the comics. According to Jason Aaron's Doctor Strange #2, the Sanctum Sanctorum sits at a crossroads of mystical energy that has been venerated for generations. It does indeed have mystical cells akin to those seen in the sub-basement in Spider-Man: No Way Home, one of which has recently been part of a major Avengers Academy arc, with one of Doctor Strange's students breaking into one of the cells.
A Subtle Nod To The MCU's Vampire Hunters
It's no secret the MCU is setting up vampires; Mahershala Ali made his off-screen debut as Blade in Eternals' post-credit scene, and producer Nate Moore recently teased the MCU's Black Knight is strongly connected to Blade and vampires. Given that's the case, it's not surprising to see Ned Leeds play with a crossbow in the Sanctum Sanctorum, and, though he doesn't notice it, the crossbow is loaded with a stake rather than an arrow. The design is actually similar to one associated with Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer. A Marvel Legends action figure of Strange's rival sorcerer Mordo for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness features the same kind of weapon, although without a stake, so this might be a subtle link between Spider-Man: No Way Home and the next MCU blockbuster.
Doctor Strange's Fridge Is Actually A Comic Book Easter Egg
In the comics, Doctor Strange's fridge comes with a health warning. Strange has spent far too much time communing with mystical entities, and his body can no longer support a normal diet. Rather, he needs to eat food that is flooded with magical energy - including just the kind of creatures Ned Leeds sees inside the fridge when he opens it in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Unfortunately, magical disturbances can turn the things inside that fridge decidedly hostile.
Doctor Octopus' Spider-Man 2 Callbacks
There are a number of Spider-Man 2 callbacks surrounding the return of Alfred Molina's Doctor Octopus, and he even gets to repeat one of his most famous lines of dialogue - twice. When Doctor Octopus first appears on the scene, he's furious because his fusion engine has vanished - having been left in his own universe. "The power of the sun," he fumes as he recalls the device, "in the palm of my hand." Amusingly, he later applies the same line to an Arc Reactor - perfectly fitting, given Stark hoped miniaturized Arc Reactors would be the same kind of renewable energy source Doctor Octopus wanted to create. Meanwhile, there's also a musical reference to Spider-Man 2, because Doctor Octopus' theme tune from that film crops up.
Green Goblin's Spider-Man Callbacks
Willem Dafoe reprises the role of Norman Osborn and he, too, gets to repeat one of his most famous lines. "You know," Norman tells Peter Parker and his friends, "I'm something of a scientist myself." Again, there's a musical nod to the original Spider-Man film, with the Green Goblin tune playing when Norman makes his appearance.
Oscorp Doesn't Exist In The MCU - But Does Norman Osborn?
Norman Osborn is shaken to discover he is now in a universe where Oscorp doesn't exist and where his house is owned by someone else. Sony published a fake Daily Bugle issue ahead of Spider-Man: No Way Home's release, and it adds context to this scene, with J. Jonah Jameson publishing a rumor, "Which former CEO showed up uninvited to the party, green with envy? Onlookers say he 'flew' off the handle when he wasn't on the list." It's possible that, in the MCU, Norman Osborn is a failed industrialist - but a character who could return nonetheless.
Doctor Strange Casts Spider-Man Out Of His Body
Spider-Man and Doctor Strange soon find themselves at odds, and Doctor Strange uses some very familiar techniques against Peter Parker. One of his first strategies - lifted straight from Doctor Strange, where the Ancient One used it on Strange himself - is to knock Peter Parker's mind out of his body. Amusingly, it isn't an effective way of defeating Spider-Man, because Peter remains tied to his body in a way that Strange considers impossible.
An Unexpected Nod To Peter Parker's Ex Liz From Spider-Man: Homecoming
Months pass in Spider-Man: No Way Home, but clearly, the media remains focused on Peter Parker. Doctor Strange circles around a newsstand while pursuing Spider-Man, and every magazine there is dedicated to the wall-crawler. The front cover of People Magazine shows Laura Harrier's Liz Toomes, accompanied by the headline "He's a Liar!" Peter Parker left Liz at her Homecoming dance in order to take down her father, the Vuture, and it seems she hasn't forgiven him.
Doctor Strange & Spider-Man Battle In The Mirror Dimension
Doctor Strange takes Spider-Man into the Mirror Dimension, introduced in Doctor Strange as a parallel dimension where sorcerers can practice their magic without affecting the real world. Doctor Strange claims this is a place where he has complete control, which is a rather concerning remark - according to that film, that level of control requires the power of the Dark Dimension. It's possible Strange's time in the Dark Dimension has changed him radically.
Aunt May Delivers The Immortal "With Great Power" Line
Tragedy has always been woven into the story of Spider-Man, and in Spider-Man: No Way Home Peter tragically loses his beloved Aunt May. The movie adjusts the traditional Spider-Man story, with May delivering the immortal line that with great power there must also come great responsibility. It neatly explains why Peter didn't deliver that line when he was talking to Tony Stark in Captain America: Civil War, although it does raise a curious question about what happened to Uncle Ben in the MCU. The inclusion of this dialogue subtly reframes the entire Spider-Man: Homecoming trilogy as an origin story for the MCU's Spider-Man.
Aunt May's Death Is Reminiscent Of "One More Day" In The Comics
In the comics, Peter Parker's decision to reveal his secret identity to the world ultimately led to Aunt May's death, targeted by the Kingpin's assassins; this was actually why Peter decided to go to drastic lengths to reverse his decision in "Spider-Man: One More Day," even striking a deal with Mephisto, Marvel's version of the Devil. It's ironic, then, that Peter's secret identity going public in the MCU ultimately sets in motion events that lead to the death of his Aunt May.
Various Spider-Man Themes Play In Spider-Man: No Way Home
Spider-Man: No Way Home features reprises of the classic themes from the original Spider-Man trilogy and the Amazing Spider-Man duology. The first theme plays in the shot where Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man offers counsel to Tom Holland's, and the latter when Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man makes his debut. The musical homages reinforce the sense this is a love letter to the history of the Spider-Man film franchise.
Ned Leeds Does Indeed Become A Villain In The Comics
Spider-Man: No Way Home riffs on the idea Spider-Man destroys Peter Parker's closest friends and family, a concept lifted straight from the comics. Tobey Maguire's Peter Parker has an amusing line of dialogue in which he remembers how his best friend became a supervillain and died, freaking Ned Leeds out. It's an entertaining nod to Harry Osborn, but doubly ironic because Ned Leeds did indeed become the supervillain Hobgoblin in the comics. It didn't go well for him.
Tobey Maguire's Organic Web-Shooters Get Called Out
Andrew Garfield and Tom Holland's Spider-Men are rather astounded at the fact Tobey Maguire has organic web-shooters. These were viewed as particularly controversial during the build-up to the first Spider-Man film's release in 2002, but audiences happily accepted them. The idea even made its way into the comics in J. Michael Straczynski's run, giving an indication of how they became mainstream.
The Statue of Liberty Gets An MCU Makeover
The MCU's Statue of Liberty is being improved, with the construction of a giant Captain America shield in honor of Steve Rogers. It's interesting to note that, for all Spider-Man: Far From Home seemed to suggest the world was focused on the sacrifice of Tony Stark in Avengers: Endgame, Steve Rogers appears to be the hero who is truly being venerated - probably because he's a patriotic hero, and according to The Falcon & the Winter Soldier the world's national boundaries are being restored after the Blip. The modifications to the Statue of Liberty were mentioned in Hawkeye, confirming the TV show and movie happen concurrently.
Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man Is Truly Amazing
Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man is the one who comes in for the most criticism, but Tobey Maguire's Peter Parker takes the moment to reassure him that he is, in fact, "amazing." "Thanks, I just needed to hear that," Garfield's Peter responds. There's a real degree of humor to the comments, of course, because Garfield starred in the Amazing Spider-Man duology, which has gotten loads of flak from fans over the years, through no fault of Garfield.
Tobey Maguire's Back Issues Become A Minor Plot Point
It seems web-slinging isn't good for your back, with both the older Spider-Men discussing their back troubles. Maguire really did suffer a back injury ahead of Spider-Man 2, although there were reports he faked it - almost leading to his being fired from the role. Maguire was almost replaced by Jake Gyllenhaal, who was reportedly dating Mary Jane actress Kirsten Dunst at the time. Maguire kept the role, and the script for Spider-Man 2 actually includes a coincidental "My back!" line. Gyllenhaal, for his part, has since made his way into the MCU as Mysterio.
Andrew Garfield Saves MJ - When He Couldn't Save Gwen Stacy
One heartwrenching scene in Spider-Man: No Way Home sees MJ fall from the Statue of Liberty but she's rescued by Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man. It mirrors Gwen Stacy's death scene in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, although this time Garfield's Spider-Man is able to save the day. The film lampshades the similarity, with Garfield's Peter Parker visibly shaken and emotional because he recognizes the parallels, though No Way Home's fall ended in a different, happier outcome.
Green Goblin Is Almost Impaled With His Own Goblin Glider - Again
Distraught and vengeful after his Aunt May's death, Spider-Man comes close to killing the Green Goblin by impaling him with his own Goblin Glider. In both the comics and the first Spider-Man movie, Osborn died when his Goblin Glider slammed into him. Other incarnations of the Green Goblin have indeed used the Goblin Glider as a weapon in the same manner as Spider-Man, with Harry Osborn holding it over his nemesis as a brutal stabbing weapon in Spectacular Spider-Man #200.
There Is Indeed A Black Spider-Man - Miles Morales
Doctor Strange believes the villains who've emerged from the multiverse are all people who knew Peter Parker is Spider-Man in their home dimension - but he's wrong, because Max Dillon's Electro never learned this in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Max is shaken when Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man unmasks before him, admitting he kind of always thought he'd be Black. That leads to an entertaining comment that there's got to be a Black Spider-Man somewhere in the multiverse - a nod to Miles Morales.
The Multiverse Cracks Open, Showing Classic Spider-Man Villains
The multiverse begins to break open, and the silhouettes of characters associated with different iterations of Spider-Man are seen in the clouds. It's difficult to make out details - many of the shapes are fairly generic - but there's clearly a Rhino silhouette and what appears to be a Scorpion tail.
Tom Holland's Web-Swinging Is Reminiscent Of The Spider-Man PS4 Game
Spider-Man: No Way Home ends with Spider-Man swinging through the streets - and the movement style feels like a homage to Sony's popular Spider-Man PlayStation 4 game. It's not the first time the Spider-Man: Homecoming trilogy has acknowledged this game, with Spider-Man: Far From Home featuring a moment when the web-slinger makes a peace sign while taking a selfie - just as he did in the game. Andrew Garfield's version of Spider-Man also makes a peace sign right before being spirited back to his own reality. This is one of the most popular Spider-Man games in recent years, and it's great to see Spider-Man: No Way Home acknowledge it as part of the wider Spider-Man mythology.
Key Release Dates
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Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness
Release Date:2022-05-06 -
Thor: Love and Thunder
Release Date:2022-07-08 -
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Release Date:2022-11-11 -
captain marvel 2
Release Date:2023-07-28 -
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Release Date:2023-05-05 -
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Release Date:2023-02-17
