Marvel Cinematic Universe: Definitive Guide To Easter Eggs, In-Jokes And Foreshadowing
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
30. President Ellis Has A Quote
When he's not answering calls from terrorist leaders and getting held hostage by fire-breathing scientists, President Ellis found the time to welcome back a war hero for the Smithsonian exhibition. It's a nice little nod to Iron Man 3 and sets up Ellis, who was created for that threequel, as a power across the whole MCU.
29. The Captain America Exhibition Ret-Cons History
One of the captions at the Captain America exhibition summarises Steve saving Bucky from Hydra, albeit it with one major change; it says he was "on tour". While this event would see Cap integrated into the U.S. military, at the time he and the Howling Commandos were operating by themselves. It's a rather subtle moment, but nicely ties into the film's wider themes of those in power influencing and misrepresenting events.
28. Howling Commandos Cameo
On top of taking time to remind the audience who Bucky Barnes is ahead of his later reemergence, the Captain America exhibition features an appearance from all the key Howling Commandos from Captain America: The First Avenger, a nice bridge between the first and second film.
27. Iron Mans Birthday Appearance
Due to complex multi-movie contracts, not every Marvel film can be full-to-the-brim with cameos from other heroes, but there's nothing stopping them getting name-cheked. Case in point, Alexander Pierce asking Nick Fury to get Iron Man to swing by his niece's birthday party in exchange for holding off on the launch of Project Insight.
26. Redfords Casting
It doesn't directly tie into the Marvel Universe, but it's impossible to ignore the significance of Robert Redford's casting in a film best described as a seventies conspiracy thriller in spandex. Redford starred in both Three Days Of The Condor (obvious joke - The Winter Soldier is set over three days) and All The President's Men, two of the decades defining films, which featured him uncovering massive, institutionalised conspiracies, in the former going on the run. Marvel's always been one for smart castings, but this is genius.
