Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has exceeded expectations for fans and features some great easter eggs. The animated sequel has been highly anticipated since its announcement, and the film more than delivered. As promised, the movie featured far more multiversal travel than the last entry. As expected, this led to numerous references and cameos. With a universe as expansive as Marvel, it was no problem for filmmakers to sneak in countless Marvel easter eggs for observant fans. Today, we will look at five of our favorite Across the Spider-Verse easter eggs. Please note there will be spoilers ahead.
5. Dr. Strange and That Little Nerd
The opening of the film sees a Vulture variant attack Gwen’s world. While fighting him, she meets Miguel O’Hara, aka Spider-Man 2099. Miguel tells Gwen why he is there and what he does. He leads a Spider task force designed to right multiversal wrongs. When discussing his past missions, he mentions “Dr. Strange and that little nerd.” The apparent reference is name-dropping Dr. Strange, but there is a deeper easter egg here. He also says, “That little nerd.” This nerd could very well be Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, and the event he refers to is likely the events that transpired in Spider-Man: No Way Home. That film saw the very fabric of reality warped when characters from other Spider-Man films crossed over into the MCU. This is a fun reference and confirms that Across the Spider-Verse technically takes place in MCU canon.
4. Prowler
Miles’ Uncle Aaron, aka The Prowler, was a major part of the last film. Miles looked up to him and had his world rocked when he discovered he moonlighted as the Prowler. Seeing how significant this moment was, it was sure to be referenced in the new film. Not only was it referenced, but one specific moment stood out. This brief Prowler appearance served as multiple Marvel easter eggs wrapped into one. While looking at the various multiverse prisoners, Miles sees a character called Prowler. This character stands out because it is a live-action Donald Glover making a cameo. This is notable for two reasons. For starters, Glover appeared briefly as Arron in Spider-Man: Homecoming. He even mentions he has a nephew, hinting at Miles existing in the MCU. Judging by this cameo, it is clear this version of Aaron fully became Prowler. The second reference is Glover himself. As fans know, Glover has been called the main inspiration for creating the Miles Morales character. This is referenced when the two characters stare at each other awkwardly as if they recognize one another.
3. Mrs. Chen
This is a quicker reference, but an important one all the same. While learning he can traverse universes, Spot finds himself in a live-action world. This world sees him in a convenience store run by Mrs. Chen. Chen’s store is featured prominently in the two Venom movies starring Tom Hardy. Eddie Brock, aka Venom, frequents this store and is close to Chen. The joke in Spider-Verse is that Chen is unphased by an animated character randomly appearing in the store. Dealing with the shenanigans of Eddie and Venom has hardened her to the strange events in the Marvel universe. Sony has slowly been introducing Spider-Man elements into their Venom universe, and this is yet another one. This moment and Eddie’s cameo in No Way Home seem to hint Venom will eventually cross paths with some variation of the wall-crawler.
2. J. Jonah Jameson
Sharp-eared viewers picked this one up immediately. During Across the Spider-Verse, a television is on in the background. The TV isn’t a focal point in the scene, but the voice is unmistakable. Somebody is complaining about a new Spider-Man running around, calling him a menace. That voice belongs to J. Jonah Jameson, a fan-favorite character in the Spider-Man universe. This easter egg goes even deeper as a familiar actor loans his voice to the cameo. To many, only one actor is truly Jameson, J. K. Simmons. Simmons first played the role in Sam Raimi’s trilogy. He went on to voice the character a few times before returning to live-action in the MCU. This proves that Simmons is the quintessential J. Jonah Jameson regardless of the universe. This may have been a quick reference easily missed, but those who found it left with a smile on their face.
1. Insomniac’s Spider-Man
The obvious reference here is the inclusion of the Spider-Man from the Insomniac Games as a character. Everybody knew this would happen, but there is another reference to the game. The character appearing is unmistakable, but the game appears early in the film. While out being Spider-Man, Miles realizes he is late for a meeting with his parents and the school’s dean. He rushes back to his dorm and runs past his roommate, Ganke, playing a game. It isn’t obvious, but if you pay close attention to the screen, it appears that Ganke is playing the PS5 version of the game. This is a blink, and you’ll miss the moment that astute viewers got a kick out of. As a bonus, this isn’t the only Marvel easter egg in this scene. Ganke also uses the phrase “guy in the chair.” This quote is taken directly from Spider-Man: Homecoming by the character Ned.
Two Marvel easter eggs in rapid succession was a clue to the plethora of references fans were to expect in Across the Spider-Verse.
