Cinematic Easter Eggs You Didn’t Know About
Cinematic Easter eggs are subtle, cleverly placed references, symbols, or inside jokes that filmmakers discreetly include in their works. They can be found in various forms, from references to other films to hidden messages and symbols that only the most observant viewers can spot.
One classic example of cinematic Easter eggs is found in Pixar’s animated films. These movies are known for their interconnected world, where characters and elements from one film often make appearances in others. For instance, the iconic Pizza Planet truck from ‘Toy Story’ can be seen in numerous Pixar films, from ‘Soul’ to ‘Up.’ These playful nods create a sense of unity and immersion in the Pixar universe for fans.
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Indiana Jones and Star Wars: The Indiana Jones series, directed by George Lucas, is a treasure trove of easter eggs. In his quest for the Lost Ark, the intrepid explorer encounters hieroglyphic walls and columns. A keen eye will discover a connection to Lucas’ other masterpiece, ‘Star Wars’. Amidst the Ancient Egyptian imagery, the beloved droids R2-D2 and C-3PO make a discreet cameo, bridging these iconic cinematic worlds.
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E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Star Wars: In Steven Spielberg’s classic film about an extraterrestrial stuck on Earth who needs to get home, there is a scene in which the children and E.T. dress up to go trick-or-treating for Halloween. E.T. spots one of the other trick-or-treaters wearing a Yoda costume and seems to recognize him.
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The Godfather and Oranges: Francis Ford Coppola, the mastermind behind the legendary cult movie, ‘The Godfather,’ is known for his subtle storytelling finesse. Among the many intriguing aspects of the film, the use of oranges as a harbinger of impending doom or treachery has become a fan-favorite Easter egg. Whenever these citrus fruits make a screen appearance, it’s a sign that a pivotal moment involving death or betrayal is on the horizon, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this cinematic masterpiece.
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Captain America and Pulp Fiction: MCU films overflow with Easter eggs, and it’s not limited to the Marvel universe alone. In ‘Captain America: Winter Soldier,’ sharp-eyed viewers spotted a clever nod to Samuel L. Jackson’s iconic roles. Colonel Nick Fury’s tombstone features a snippet from Jules Winnfield’s famous monologue in ‘Pulp Fiction’.
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Moving away from films, television series are not to be outdone. ‘Breaking Bad’ is a prime example of a show filled with intricate Easter eggs. From the colours used in the wardrobe symbolizing character transformation to subtle references to the ‘Breaking Bad’ universe in ‘Better Call Saul,’ Vince Gilligan’s meticulous attention to detail adds plenty of fun for fans to discover.
Video games have also embraced the concept of Easter eggs. In the popular game ‘The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim,’ players can discover a reference to the ‘Legend of Zelda’ series, as an NPC (non-player character) is seen shouting ‘Fus Ro Dah,’ a famous shout from the game.
So, next time you watch your favourite film or play a video game, keep an eye out for these cleverly concealed surprises that could make your experience better.
-Britney Jones