Warning: Spoilers ahead for Spider-Man: Homecoming! Read at your own risk!
If you have seen Spider-Man: Homecoming, then you already know that the Web Head's latest cinematic outing feels packed to the brim with Easter eggs and references to other Marvel properties. From a hilarious cameo by Captain America to the tease of Scorpion in a future Spider-Man movie, Peter Parker's first solo MCU outing is a deep dive into the overarching Marvel lore. That said, there's one Easter egg that you may not have noticed, and it has broad implications for Thor's corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Viking Avenger calls himself the God of Thunder, and now it seems certain folks in the MCU worship him as a legitimate deity.
What started as a simple Easter egg discovered on Reddit (via io9) has spun out of control into a full blown fan theory about the state of religion in the Marvel films. It all stems from one seemingly insignificant shot in Spider-Man: Homecoming in which we see a sign advertising the "Korean Church of Asgard." For even the most superficial Marvel fan, it is clear that this means a portion of New York's Korean population is flocking to a church to worship Thor, Odin, The Warriors Three, and Lady Sif -- to name a few.
This seems to have some massive implications for the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a whole. If we are to treat that advertised church as a legitimate house of worship, then it means average citizens on Earth-199999 have gradually started to take notice of Thor's abilities, and treat him as a higher power in the same way that ancient Nordic people worshiped Odin. Marvel movies often fail to show us the inner lives of this world's average citizens, so this is a genuinely fascinating look at how the other half lives.
Although this Easter egg has not received official confirmation as canon within the greater MCU, we are partial to it because it lines up with a more traditional depiction of the Norse gods from Marvel Comics. Fans felt taken off guard all the way back in Phase 1 when the original Thor film insisted that the abilities of Asgardians were based more in the realm of science fiction than fantasy. It was shocking because it effectively took away some of the mystique of beings like Odin and Loki. However, by showing that certain segments of humanity actually do worship them like gods, it creates the sense that these characters truly are magical -- even if it is not the traditional, Doctor Strange version of magic.
For more information regarding the rest of the insane Marvel Easter eggs in Spider-Man: Homecoming, make sure to check out our handy guide. Jon Watts' Spider-Man reboot is currently in theaters, and your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man will make his next major appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe when The Avengers: Infinity War debuts on May 4, 2018.
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