Marvel Studios closed off 2021 with Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye on Disney+, finally giving a solo project to the only member of the original six Avengers who didn't yet have one. Tying back to the events of The Avengers, Avengers: Endgame, and several other classic MCU stories, the Hawkeye series found a way to pay tribute to the character's past while setting up a bright future as well.

While the series largely served as Clint Barton's first solo story, these six episodes also gave Hailee Steinfeld's Kate Bishop her first chance to shine in the MCU spotlight.

Due to both heroes' stories being told simultaneously, Marvel had an even bigger opportunity than usual for Easter eggs to be included throughout the series. From multiple references to Paul Rudd's Ant-Man to early teases for Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin, Hawkeye certainly made the most of Marvel's material from the big screen and comics alike.

This series decided to kick off the trip down memory lane right from the beginning by starting Episode 1 with a flashback to the Battle of New York in 2012's The Avengers. Part of that scene even included an Easter egg from that same movie that nobody caught for weeks... until now.

Hulk's Cameo in Hawkeye Disney+ Show

The Direct has confirmed a Hulk-sized hidden cameo in Hawkeye's premiere with ILM Visual Effects Supervisor Vincent Papaix.

Following Papaix's interview with befores & afters, during which he shared that his VFX team "managed to actually hide one Avenger that nobody has found yet" in Episode One of Hawkeye, The Direct gave the premiere an additional watch with a careful eye out for unnoticed details. 

During the opening flashback taking place during The Avengers' 2012 Battle of New York, a young Kate Bishop stands in shock when she finds a gaping hole in her apartment's living room caused by the innercity carnage.

As the shot frames Kate staring at the alien-invaded Stark Tower in front of her, fans can spot Hulk leaping up through the air on the left side of the tower.

Credit :- The Direct.com

Unfortunately for the big green guy, a Chitauri soldier spots him mid-air and blasts him with its alien weaponry, resulting in an explosion that sends Hulk spiraling into an opposite building.

The Direct reached out to Papaix about the hidden detail, and the VFX veteran confirmed with us that that is, in fact, Hulk's secret cameo:

"It is indeed Hulk jumping from building to building and getting a blast from a Chitauri weapon."

Hulk Smash, Kate Bishop Watch

Hawkeye incorporated plenty of Avengers-level Easter eggs to connect its serialized story to the larger MCU with nods to various characters from all 14 years of the franchise's history. Even with fans looking at every single frame of material for nods like these, it's fairly impressive that the Hulk appearance hasn't come to light until nearly three months after the show debuted.

Mark Ruffalo's Hulk played an appropriately big role in the Battle of New York, finally unleashing his anger again as the Avengers assembled in front of Grand Central Station. He then proceeded to leap into the air with ease and take out every Chitauri soldier in his way, which is what Kate laid eyes on as she saw Earth's Mightiest Heroes defend the world from the invasion.

For being one of the biggest heroes in MCU history, it's something of a minor miracle that the Hulk managed to slip past viewers for such a long time. Whether any more hidden cameos like this will come in the future is a mystery, but this surely won't be the last time fans are looking out for the massive green Avenger in Phase 4.

All six episodes of Hawkeye are available to stream on Disney+.

 

Jon Watts has quickly become one of the biggest names in the directing community thanks to his work with Marvel Studios' Spider-Man franchise. His latest effort, Spider-Man: No Way Home, became the movie event of a generation as it earned some of the best reviews of any movie in history. Combine that with the sixth-best box office run of all time, and Watts is sitting in a great place thanks to his work.

Even though Peter Parker's time in the MCU is far from over, it's unclear if Watts will be the man to lead the way for as many as three confirmed Spidey sequels.

Currently, the director is already in line to bring Marvel Studios' Fantastic Four to the big screen in the next few years, taking on another fan-favorite property after the Fox merger. Outside of the MCU, he'll also bring his expertise to the sixth entry in the Final Destination franchise, making him one of the busiest men in Hollywood.

As it turns out, even all this isn't enough for Watts, as reports have him linked to yet another massive blockbuster franchise in the near future.

Jon Watts Joins Disney's Star Wars Story

Discussing Film revealed that Spider-Man: No Way Home director Jon Watts is in talks to direct at least one episode of an unannounced Star Wars project for Disney+. Rumors point to this being the recently-rumored Stranger Things-inspired series that is set during the High Republic era.

The Mandalorian showrunner Jon Favreau will reportedly act as an executive producer on the show, which currently has the working title of Grammar Rodeo. The series is set to begin filming in summer 2022 in Los Angeles.

Jon Watts Going Intergalactic with Star Wars

This new Stranger Things-inspired show from Lucasfilm is set to be something different than anything that's come before. Set in the largely unexplored High Republic era and featuring a cast of largely pre-teens and teenagers, it's a mystery as to how this story will add to the growing Star Wars narrative.

Thankfully, Jon Watts appears to be just the man to help bring that kind of exciting story to the Disney+ sphere.

Having worked with a cast full of youngsters in all three MCU Spider-Man movies, including power couple Zendaya and Tom Holland, Watts seems perfectly equipped to replicate his success in the galaxy far, far away. Combine that with his upcoming dip into horror and his expertise with blockbuster franchises, and it seems that Lucasfilm has a recipe for massive success.

Possibly the most exciting part of this is that Watts will reunite with MCU star and Star Wars guru Jon Favreau for a project that will have cameras rolling in a few months. The hope is that more information about his work will come to light in the near future, but the fact alone that he's involved will have anticipation skyrocketing in a hurry.

 Spider-Man: No Way Home hasn't lost one bit of steam since its theatrical debut in December 2021, as it still serves as a major topic of conversation for movie fans. That tends to happen with a film that brings in heroes and villains from Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield's Spidey stories, fully introducing MCU fans to the Multiverse in the process.

Rumors pointed to Maguire and Garfield being involved with the production more than a year ahead of its debut, which came on top of reports that revealed five of their respective franchises' villains would also come to the MCU. Naturally, this led to a level of hype never seen for any MCU solo movie in history as fans waited to find out what would really come to the big screen for Marvel Studios.

The Spider-Man threequel utilized Maguire and Garfield's stories to perfection while integrating them with Tom Holland's latest solo journey, all leading to Holland becoming the quintessential web-slinger. Now, ahead of the movie's home release, fans are getting an incredible look at the heroic trio along with more characters and moments from this blockbuster.

Tobey, Andrew, & Tom Assemble for Spider-Man 3

Sony Pictures released a 55-second preview for the home release of Spider-Man: No Way Home, which featured looks at Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield, Tobey Maguire, and more from the film's set. The film will be available via digital release on March 22, and its physical media release will come on April 12.

Tom Holland and Zendaya stand on top of the Queensboro Bridge set from the film as they pose and laugh together. This comes from the movie's opening scene when the real-life power couple swings away from the crowd of onlookers harassing Peter Parker after his identity is revealed.

Jamie Foxx, Alfred Molina, and Willem Dafoe stand together in front of a white screen for promotional pictures in their villain costumes. Although Electro, Doc Ock, and the Green Goblin caused mayhem at every turn for the Spider-Men and crew, the actors are having the time of their lives on set as they smile and laugh during their poses.

One of the most historic moments in superhero movie history is teased with an image of all three cinematic Spider-Man standing side-by-side for a picture together. Tom Holland poses in between Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire as they don their maskless Spidey suits, bringing an image to life that seemed nearly impossible before Spider-Man: No Way Home.

 

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness may not have reached the same intense fervor that the conversation surrounding Spider-Man: No Way Home did, but nonetheless, there’s plenty to discuss and theorize. After all, this is the Multiverse. The film will bring back Benedict Cumberbatch’s Strange, Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff, and Benedict Wong’s Sorcerer Supreme in order to confront the sickness ailing reality itself.

The trailers have provided tons of interesting tidbits to fans. For one, it looks like Scarlet Witch isn’t having the best of times. The same goes for Strange, or at least a Variant of his, who ends up getting zombified. Of course, there’s also the shocking return of Patrick Stewart, who was last seen as Professor X in Logan.

Joining the party in this outing is Xochitl Gomez’s America Chavez. Rumors indicate that she’ll be initially from another universe, and her powers to travel between realities could be the crux of the conflict.

But how does she get to the MCU in the first place? That’s not known, but it could happen right around the same point she’s trapped by some mysterious creature, as seen in the latest full trailer.

But what is it? Well, Avengers: Infinity War might hold the answer to that question.

Solving the Strange Villain Identity

In the most recent trailer for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Xochitl Gomez can be seen struggling against a mysterious and terrifying creature.

But if one looks closely at it, the answer to its identity could be in plain sight.

Jumping back to Avengers: Infinity War, Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange uses an iconic weapon to keep Thanos from closing his fist: the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak.

Given the visual similarities, could the mysterious creature actually be Cyttorak himself?

In the comics, he is a deity with near-endless magical might. Sometimes he’s referred to as a god, other times a demon. Despite his significant strength, Cyttorak hasn’t gotten as much time in the spotlight as one might think. It’s the objects he imbues with power that get the limelight.

Many likely know the name thanks to his infamous Crimson Gem, which was famous for creating the iconic X-Men villain, Juggernaut.

The Villain of Doctor Strange Revealed?

The big question now is, assuming this theory to be true, will Cyttorak be the main villain? Is he the source responsible for bringing madness into the Multiverse?

It’s entirely possible. However, given the scope and patterns of the film, it’s nearly impossible to know for sure. After all, this could be a quick cameo as our heroes jump through universes or even a summon cast out from the Darkhold.

If he’s not the villain, then who is? There are lots of signs pointing to the answer being none other than the Scarlet Witch. After all, there are plenty of teases toward that possibility—this past trailer gets awfully close to confirming it as well.

All of those answers fans are dying to have will be here when Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hits theaters on May 6, 2022.