10 Subtle Movie Homages You Definitely Missed

This one has to be top just because of the sheer scale of it, managing to be consistent while still so subtle most people don’t notice it. According to Marvel Studios producer Kevin Feige, this trend started out as a complete coincidence, but was kept going once it was spotted.

While the revelation of Luke’s parenthood is the most memorable moment from The Empire Strikes Back, the biggest special effect is Luke getting his hand chopped off. It’s this that the MCU manages to wink at in every single movie in Phase 2.

In order, in Iron Man 3 sees Aldrich Killian get his arm chopped off in the final battle. Next, Thor’s hand is sliced off by Loki (though only in an illusion) in Thor: The Dark World. Captain America: The Winter Soldier has the most obvious one, with well... the Winter Soldier.

Guardians Of The Galaxy sees Gamora chop both of Groot’s arms off, while Ulysses Klaue loses his arm to Ultron in Avengers: Age Of Ultron. Yellowjacket loses his right arm as he shrinks in his final battle with Ant-Man, and the trend even spills over the Phase 3 when Iron Man lasers Bucky’s metallic arm off.