Marvel’s latest masterpiece is proving successful during opening weekend, having already grossed over $100M domestically. Embedded in the tears and laughter, you’ll find many fun Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 easter eggs and references. You may have missed a couple whilst wiping away your tears, so let’s explore some of them!
*Warning: Spoilers ahead for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3*
89P13 is one of the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 easter eggs
In the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie, information about Rocket is displayed after he is detained along with the rest of the team. At the time, we had limited knowledge about Rocket’s past, other than implications that he was experimented on and genetically tampered with. In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, we learn 89P13 is Rocket’s subject name and the label High Evolutionary’s team uses to identify him. The beginning of his subject name comes from Batch 89, which Rocket, Teefs, Floor and Lylla are a part of during the experiments. Their subject names also begin with 89.
Alongside this detail, Rocket’s file lists one of his associates as Lylla. This could be more of an easter egg in the first movie, seeing as Lylla never escaped the High Evolutionary to become a threat to anyone in the galaxy.
The alien abduction is one of the subtle, yet hilarious Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 easter eggs
One of the funniest Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 easter eggs is all the way in the second post-credit scene. Peter is having breakfast with his Grandpa back on Earth, who is reading a newspaper with the headline “Alien Abduction: Kevin Bacon Shares Details.”
This is a fun nod to the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special in which Drax and Mantis kidnap Kevin Bacon and take him to Knowhere as a Christmas present for Peter. In the Holiday Special, law enforcement encounters Mantis and Drax on their adventure, so the news of two aliens chasing down Kevin Bacon was bound to make headlines at some point.
Peter takes accountability
There are a few Infinity Saga Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 easter eggs, including mentions of Thanos and a brief recount of the timeline of events involving Gamora, in which Peter references his outburst in Avengers: Infinity War. When describing Thanos’ sacrifice of Gamora, Peter says: “I lost my mind and almost messed up half the universe…”
In Infinity War, Peter disturbs Mantis’ manipulation of Thanos, who is trying to keep him unconscious whilst the others attempt to regain the Infinity Gauntlet in Thanos’ possession. Grief and anger overcome Peter as he lashes out at the Titan, causing him to escape Mantis’ clutch and escape with the stones, leading to half of the universe being snapped out of existence.
Many fans were quick to blame Star-Lord for what followed, so it is fun to see him acknowledge his mistakes in the present day.
(Grand)Father and son is another of the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 easter eggs
One of a few comic book Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 easter eggs includes a nod to Peter’s father in the comics, J’Son. We learn that Peter’s Grandpa’s name is Jason in the MCU, which is also Peter’s middle name.
Peter often mentioned he knew nothing of his biological father before he learned it was Ego, so his Grandpa sharing a similar name to his father in the comics is a sentimental nod to the role Jason plays in Peter’s childhood. Their reunion is one of the biggest emotional hits of the movie, and it will be interesting to see Peter reconnect with his life on Earth in the future.
The High Evolutionary’s god complex
The High Evolutionary’s ship name is a smaller Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 easter egg, but it carries significant connotations.
“Arete is a concept in ancient Greek thought that, in its most basic sense, refers to ‘excellence’ of any kind.”
-Liddell H.D in A Greek-English Lexicon
Named after the Greek Goddess Arete, High Evolutionary’s ship shares the same ideals of perfection and excellence. He wants to create the perfect society, so it seems fitting that his headquarters is named after his ideologies.
We also learn that the new Guardians ship is named Bowie, after David Bowie, the ‘Star Man.’ This could be a nod to Peter’s love of pop culture, or that he is also Star-Lord.
Did you catch any other Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 easter eggs?
Undoubtedly the mastermind James Gunn planted many more Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 easter eggs for us to find, but these are a few to look out for on your next rewatch.
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