Marvel Cinematic Universe: Definitive Guide To Easter Eggs, In-Jokes And Foreshadowing

The Incredible Hulk

12. Stanley's Pizza/Paul Soles Cameo

The reference with Stanley, owner of the pizza place Bruce hides out at seems pretty obvious - it's a wink to Stan Lee, right? Well, yes, but it goes more involved than that. You see, Stanley's played by Paul Soles, who voiced (among others) Bruce Banner in The Marvel Super Heroes cartoon, making him the first man to ever play the Hulk.

11. Lou Ferrigno Cameo

In Hulk, Lou Ferrigno, the bodybuilder who painted himself green for the TV series, played a security guard, a role he semi-reprises for this film; he's the guard Bruce bribes with pizza to get into the university's lab. That's not the only involvement Ferrigno has with the film; he also provides the voice for the Hulk (something he did in Ang Lee's version and both Avengers too).

10. Dr. Reinstein's Name Is On The Super Soldier Serum

Furthering the earlier connection to Captain America, the vat of of Super Soldier serum used on Emil Blonsky name-checks Dr. Reinstein, the original developer and creator of Captain America. Although he's still credited, the movie makes clear nobody ever managed to replicate his formula correctly. Also, noticed how the the Cryosync container was developed by Stark Industries.

9. Betty Buys Bruce Purple Pants

Almost as iconic as his green skin are Hulk's purple pants, so of course there'd be a nod to it in a film that delights in the character's legacy. After the campus fracas, Betty gives Bruce some stretchy purple pants, not only serving as a nod to the long-standing element, but also allowing the film to pose (but sadly not answer) how Bruce's trousers don't split like the rest of his clothes when he transforms.