Editor’s note: The following contains spoilers for ‘Superman’The DC Universe in whichSupermantakes place is one in which the existence of metahumans has been public knowledge for centuries, with Clark Kent (David Corenswet) himself having been operating as Superman for three years. Given this, the atmosphere of the film is more similar to that of the comic book source material than in past superhero franchise-starters like Marvel’sIron ManorSuperman’s direct predecessorMan of Steel, which depict their protagonists’ heroic origins against backdrops of worlds in which supernatural phenomena and beings are being widely discovered for the first time. Because the film throws up right into the action, thisresults in the film having an especially large assortment of Easter eggs and cameosreferencing DC’s comic book history, the filmmakers’ past work, and teasing future installments in the franchise. Even every street sign in the film is seemingly a reference to something in DC’s history. Let’s break down all the Easter eggs we could find inJames Gunn’sSuperman.
Voices From the Past
The main cast ofSupermanfeatures several of writer-director (and DC Studios co-CEO)James Gunn’s frequent collaborators from his past DC projects and other work, like Marvel’sGuardians of the Galaxytrilogy, such asBradley CooperandNathan Fillion,with even more of his regular colleagues taking on discreet voiceover roles. The robots who attend to Clark’s Fortress of Solitude are voiced byJennifer Holland(Gunn’s wife),Alan Tudyk, Michael Rooker,andPom Klementieff, whileMichael Rosenbaum,whose performance as Lex Luthorfrom the television seriesSmallvilleinspiredNicholas Hoult’s iteration in the film, voices one of the armored LuthorCorp soldiers known as Raptors.
Superman’s Title Screen Is an Homage to the Past
When we see the title screen forSuperman, the way the logo moves and is highlighted is very clearly a reference to the original run ofRichard Donnerfilms, which sawChristopher Reevetake on the Man of Steel. It’s a clever way for Gunn to acknowledge the past of this iconic superhero series right from the beginning.
Branding Is Everything
Further immersing the viewer in the story universe arefrequent visual references to fictional brands and companies familiar to fans of other DC media, rather than more traditional instances of product placement. Ads for Zesti Cola, Chocos (DC’s equivalent to Oreos, known for being a favorite snack of superhero J’onn J’onzz/Martian Manhunter), the fast-food chain Big Belly Burger, which was referenced especially frequently in the Arrowverse TV franchise, and Stagg Industries, which is integral in the origin of Rex Mason/Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan) can be seen throughout, usually in scenes set in the heart of Metropolis. Fictional news network The Sphere, however, seems to be a new creation for Gunn’s franchise.
The Mighty Crabjoys
Another entity unique to the DCU is The Mighty Crabjoys, the pop bandthat Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) teases Clark for liking. Eric Frankenstein (David Harbour) is shown wearing a T-shirt referencing the band in the animated DCU seriesCreature Commandos,and what appears to be an ad for them can be seen in promotional material for the upcoming second season ofPeacemaker, butSuperman’s references to the group are more extensive, with the first song playing over the film’s closing credits having been written by Gunn and attributed to the fictional musicians.
Honoring a Past Superman
As strong as Corenswet’s work and that of other actors who have recently played Clark is, for many viewers, especially those from previous generations, the definitive live-action Superman will likely always be Christopher Reeve, and the new film pays respect to the late star in some classy ways. Several pieces of the score for Gunn’s film build off musical piecesJohn Williamscomposed for Reeve’s first film in the role, andReeve’s son Will, himself a real-life television news anchor, cameosas one of several reporters who provide exposition on the film’s events.
Superspy Shakeup
Frank Grilloreprises his role as General Rick Flag Sr. fromCreature Commandosin the film, andSupermanreveals the character has received a promotion that will likely have significance for several future projects. Flag is now the director of espionage agency A.R.G.U.S., replacing Amanda Waller (Viola Davis), who still held the title at the end ofCreature Commandos, with Gunn having confirmed thatthe latter’s demotion will be explored more inPeacemakerSeason 2.
Peacemaker Is a Superman Hater
In addition to Flag and the other costumed crime fighters who have genuine supporting roles in the film, a few figures who will be important to the future of the DCU appear in single-scene cameos, with one being Christopher Smith/Peacemaker (John Cena) himself. The crude antihero appears in costume on a talk show after Lex publicly reveals the supposed end of the recording Clark’s Kryptonian parents made for him, instructing him to conquer Earth in the name of Krypton. Smith sees this as confirmation of his doubts about Clark’s character, whichhe first elaborated on in some characteristically ludicrous dialoguesin the semi-canonical first season of his television series.
Justice Has Already Dawned
The corporately funded Justice Gang is an obvious precursor to the more efficient, iconic Justice League, with the dysfunctional group even operating out of one of the League’s famous bases, the Hall of Justice. But the Gang’s (temporary) choice of name, details about the Hall, and several of the characters’ comic book histories collectively suggest that an earlier superhero team,the Justice Society/Justice Society of America, likely existed for a time in the DCU, which would make sense given how long superhumans have been known about. One of the Hall’s walls is adorned with a painting of several costumed crime fighters, one of whom appears to be JSA member Ted Grant/Wildcat. It’s also worth noting that the sequence at the Hallwas filmed at the Union Terminal in Cincinnati’s Museum Center,after the building had inspired the design of the Hallwhen it was originally created for the 1970s animated seriesSuper Friends.
You Get a Pocket Dimension and You Get a Pocket Dimension…
Lex’s creation and use of a “pocket dimension” for his private prison and instantaneous transportation displays both his immense intellect and recklessness, but, as he’d be angry to learn, he’s not the only person capable of making the technology work.PeacemakerSeason 1 revealed that Chris’s father, August (Robert Patrick), the racist supervillain also known as White Dragon, created his own pocket dimension, which he and Chris refer to as a “Quantum unfolding chamber,” and use as their base of operations,with Gunn having notedthat the series’ second season will explore the capabilities and ramifications of the technology further.
Mr. Handsome from Mars?
In addition to Rex and any other characters who may be referenced through extremely subtle cameos, the pocket dimension sequence features the debut of a mysterious being Lex derisively refers to as “Mr. Handsome” that effectively works as the prison warden. His grayish-white skinhas led some DC fans to speculate that the character could be a White Martian, most of whom serve as antagonists to J’onn in the comics.
Location, Location, Location
The actual overarching plot of the film hinges on what seems to be a subtle nod to Reeve’s originalSuperman: The Movie. In the 1978 film,Gene Hackman’s Lex ultimately hopes to sink a large portion of the western continental United States, so that property he owns closer to the middle of the country will become profitable by being near the newly formed coastline, with viewers having long found it humorously odd that the superhero epic essentially revolves around a real estate scheme. In the new film, using information provided by Eve Tessmacher (SaraSampaio), Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo), Lois, and other members of the Daily Planet staff deduce and expose that, in addition to killing Superman, Hoult’s Lex hopes to incite a war between fictional nations Boravia and Jarhanpur, and ensure Boravia’s victory, given thatits dictator has promised to give Lex ownership of half of Jarhanpur’s landafter conquering it.
Who Is Ultraman?
One of the biggest questions about the film remains somewhat open by the time it ends. The duplicate of Superman who serves as Lex’s enforcer is referred to as Ultraman, and his fall into the black hole created by Lex’s pocket universe suggests the character could end up residing in an alternate reality in a future project, as the comic book character of the same name does. However,the fact that he’s a clone of Clarkrather than an otherworldly doppelgänger suggests that the character could also be the DCU’s equivalent of another character, such asConner Kent/Superboy, Match, Bizarro, or an amalgamation of one or more of these and Ultraman.
Assertive Heroes
His lack of (overt) superpowers and incredible physical and mental skillsmake Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi) theSupermancharacter most similar to Batman, so it’s fitting that one of his lines is the closest the film comes to referencing The Dark Knight. However, the actual choice of Batman scenes to homage is surprising. When telling one of Lex’s assistants that he doesn’t need their help to shut down the pocket dimension, Terrific simply says, “I’m goddamn Mister Terrific,” paraphrasing the end of an infamously offensive, widely mocked rant Bruce Wayne goes on in the critically panned comic book seriesAll-Star Batman and Robin. We can also see on the interstate in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, that there is a road sign for Gotham as well.
Lording It Over
After being alluded to throughout the film, Maxwell Lord (Sean Gunn), the owner of LordTech, the company that funds the Justice Gang, is briefly interviewed on television after Lex’s arrest, noting that he thinks it’s a welcome development.Max has a complicated history with the Justice Leaguein the comics and is confirmed to be reappearing inPeacemakerSeason 2 alongside Green Lantern Guy Gardner (Fillion) and Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced).
Task Force Lex?
Lex’s incarceration may not be the just punishment everyone’s hoping for, however. He is set to be sent toBelle Reve, the Louisiana prison from which Waller’s Task Force X/Suicide Squadrecruits its criminal operatives.Creature Commandosshowed A.R.G.U.S. favoring the use of the titular team, also known as Task Force M, over the Squad following a Congressional ban, but it would be perfectly in character for Waller to defy her superiors and form a new Squad, possibly featuring Lex, in the future, likely with disastrous results.
Woman of Tomorrow
The end of the film also sees the end of Clark’s tenure watching Krypto the Superdog, with his cousin Kara/Supergirl (Milly Alcock) stumbling into the Fortress, apparently intoxicated, to reclaim her pet. Clark remarks to robot Four/Gary (Tudyk) that Kara enjoys traveling to planets with red suns so her superhuman powers are reduced, allowing her to get drunk, setting up the exact circumstances in whichSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,the acclaimed comic series being adapted by Kara’s upcoming solo film, begins.
Supermanis now in theaters.
