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01
Creepy Villain Bulletin Board
In the opening scene, the camera pans across a villain's bulletin board with several Easter eggs. There's a newspaper article authored by Rob Down, which is a tribute to Robert Downey Jr. Among the clippings, there's one announcing that Stark Industries would no longer make weapons, and several covers from the award show montage in Iron Man 1.
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02
Olivia Munn as Chess Roberts
Olivia Munn plays Chess Roberts, a reporter who works for the recurring news channel WHIH. Munn was best known for co-hosting "Attack of the Show" at the time, making her an ideal choice for the cameo.
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03
Iron Man Repulsor Bands
In the same scene, fans in the background can be seen wearing Iron Man repulsor bands, which later appear on the dancers at the Stark Expo. This detail shows the popularity of Iron Man's technology among the public.
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04
Seth Green's Split-Second Appearance
Seth Green makes a brief appearance in the film, adding another celebrity cameo to the already star-studded cast. Seth would later go on to voice Howard the Duck in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies
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05
Larry Ellison's Oracle Connection
Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle, a computer technology company, makes an appearance in the movie. The climax of the film takes place in the Oracle Pavilion, further highlighting the real-life connection.
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06
Stan Lee's Larry King Cameo
Stan Lee, the legendary comic book writer and co-creator of many Marvel characters, makes his third cameo in the MCU, this time as talk show host Larry King. This brief appearance continues the tradition of Lee's cameos in Marvel films and pays homage to his immense influence on the comic book industry.
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07
Kate Mara's Pre-Fant4stic Cameo
Before starring in "Fant4stic" Kate Mara made a cameo as a U.S. Marshal looking for Tony Stark. This is a much smaller role but we are sure she would rather have us remember her for this role than for the one in Fant4stic.
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08
Senator Stern's Hidden Hydra Agenda
Garry Shandling plays Senator Stern, who is later revealed to be a member of Hydra. This twist emphasizes that no character can be fully trusted in the Marvel Universe. Stern's hidden Hydra agenda adds a layer of intrigue and suspense to the storyline, while also foreshadowing the larger presence of Hydra within the MCU.
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09
Tony's Phone of Secrets
Tony Stark's phone is loaded with hidden Easter eggs. Some of the apps include the Stark Expo, an Iron Man logo, and even a SHIELD logo that could've given him a direct line to Nick Fury. Another app, featuring the word "Illuminati," references the secret Marvel heroes' group. Lastly, the suitcase app with a footprint connects to his suitcase armor, which he activates by stepping inside.
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10
Tony's Struggle with Alcoholism
The movie hints at Tony's battle with alcoholism, as seen in the comics' "Demon in a Bottle" storyline. Tony is often seen holding a glass of brandy, and the mixture he drinks counteracts the Palladium poisoning, symbolizing his reliance on alcohol.
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11
The Ten Rings Tattoo Connection
A character in a deleted scene has a Ten Rings tattoo, linking to the group that kidnapped Tony in Iron Man 1. This same group will also appear in the Shang-Chi movie, "Legend of the Ten Rings."
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12
Roxxon Corporation's Presence
The Roxxon Corporation logo appears several times throughout the film, including on the race cars during the Monaco Grand Prix scene. This detail hints at the company's significant role in the Marvel universe, as Roxxon is known for its shady dealings and conflicts with superheroes.
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13
Whiplash's Signature Look
Mickey Rourke decided to give Whiplash a signature Cockatoo and gold teeth, even paying for them out of his own pocket. A tattoo on Whiplash's abdomen reads "Give me a blonde, a bottle, and a boat, and I'll sail away" in Russian, highlighting the similarities between him and pre-Iron Man Tony Stark.
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14
Loki Tattoo That Never Was
Originally, there was a tattoo of Loki on Whiplash's neck, but it was removed to avoid confusion. This Easter egg would have been a nod to the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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15
War Machine's Debut
The film marks the first appearance of War Machine, portrayed by Don Cheadle. As Tony Stark's friend and fellow superhero, War Machine becomes a pivotal character in the MCU, adding depth to the Iron Man story.
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16
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Black Widow Introduction
Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow is introduced as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent in the film. Her appearance serves as an essential setup for her future character arc and involvement in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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17
Captain America's Shield Cameo
When Phil Coulson pays Tony a visit, he finds an incomplete Captain America shield, an Easter egg that hints at the future introduction of the character to the MCU. This reference creates anticipation for the upcoming "Captain America: The First Avenger" film.
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18
Young Peter Parker's Iron Man Moment
The boy in the Iron Man mask was later retconned to be a young Peter Parker. Interestingly, the boy is played by director Jon Favreau's son.
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19
Map of Easter Eggs
When Nick Fury is talking to Tony at the end of the movie, the map behind them is loaded with Easter eggs, including locations referencing Wakanda, Captain America's crash site, and possibly Atlantis, home of Namor. Can you believe Marvel came through on ALL of these easter eggs?
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20
Thor's Hammer Teaser
The end credit scene shows us Phil Coulson arriving at the landing site of Thor's Hammer, Setting up the next movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.