After this weekend’s second #1 showing for Spider-Man: Far From Home, it’s a good guess that at least some people went to see the film again, on top of those who hadn’t seen it last weekend. With multiple viewings, there’s the potential to find some sneaky easter eggs that got past your eyes that first or second viewing of this summer’s latest blockbuster.
In one particular case, a hidden surprise stood out in a way that was so subtle it took a couple of spins to find it. Once it was seen though, it opened the door to a potentially huge reveal; or at the very least, a keen reminder of just where Marvel Studios is in the grand scheme of things.
While this isn’t exactly a huge spoiler for anything that happens in Spider-Man: Far From Home, some details of events towards the end of the film are discussed. If you’re spoiler adverse in the slightest, you’ll want to come back after you’ve seen the film.
What The Mysterious Sign Said In Spider-Man: Far From Home
One pretty innocuous surprise came in the form of a barricade in front of Grand Central Station, which showed up in the background of Peter and MJ’s big date towards the end of Spider-Man: Far From Home. Snuck into the background, it displayed a simple message: “We Can’t Wait To Show You What’s Next.”
Accompanying that text was four circles, three numbered and the fourth greyed out with a big question mark in the center. Naturally, those first three circles were numbered 1-3, sequentially with different colors filing the background that framed each number.
That couldn’t possibly mean anything special could it? Of course it could, and knowing the current state of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there are some distinct suggestions as to what that mysterious sign might mean for the future of Marvel Studios; as well as one possibility that may be a little less exciting, but still counts for something.
It's Possibly One Of Many Nods To Phase 4 Of The MCU
Spider-Man: Far From Home wasn’t shy about how Marvel is moving onto “a new phase” in its life. Nowhere was it clearer than that very phrase popping up in the opening newscast between Jason and Betty at Midtown High. It’s a distinct possibility that this could just be yet another hint that Phase 4 is around the corner, and Kevin Feige is excited to show the world what’s next.
Some originally thought Phase 3 would be closed out by Avengers: Endgame, but eventually it was revealed that Peter Parker’s perilous journey through Europe was actually the coda that would close the door on this most recent round of adventure.
Admittedly, this is the tamest possibility, but it’s still exciting enough to think the sign could be a tease for the audience about what’s coming. Then again, if the fourth phase is being teased so readily, that might mean something specific is on the horizon. Which moves to the question of what’s in the hopper that’s ready to be upgraded through the patented MCU touch.
A Possibly Huge Hint To A Fantastic Four Reveal?
Ever the hot topic when it comes to the new toys that have entered the MCU toy box, there has been a lot of buzz around the fact that the Fox/Disney merger has made Reed Richards and his superpowered family’s entry into the Marvel Studios canon that much easier.
It’s all a matter of time at this point, and the fact that Phase 4 is going to be announced any day now would be a good time for the Fantastic Four to jump into a world of science gone wrong and interdimensional travel. All of which are the cornerstones of that particular series’ most iconic stories.
As the fourth phase of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe hasn’t been announced just yet, this could be a pretty hot prospect for Marvel to follow up on. If there were a brand that could use the MCU touch right now, without any recent baggage making it a franchise in need of a cooling off period, it’s Fantastic Four.
A Big Tease To Marvel’s Big Comic Con Panel?
The largest possibility is probably the best one, as Marvel Studios will be present at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, with the air full of anticipation that Phase 4 will be announced at that very panel. That fourth, greyed out circle could be Marvel telling the world it does indeed have something big to talk about. Perhaps that reveal could even come during this year's showcase.
With the studio opting to debut bigger gems at Disney’s D23 Expo in recent years, Marvel needs to have a good reason to return to Hall H. It wouldn’t be worth the time or energy if Kevin Feige’s panel were just going to be a run-of-the-mill Q&A with a cute tribute reel to the first three phases. Marvel never shows up without some powerful cards up its sleeve.
Spider-Man: Far From Home was a pretty strong finale to Phase 3’s overarching story, as well as the Infinity Saga itself. Now the time has come to start revealing the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the public at large, and San Diego Comic-Con is more than likely the place it’s all going to start; with some material still saved for the D23 Expo in Anaheim. All three of the avenues discussed above are pretty valid at this point, and it’s only a matter of time before they’re proven or debunked in the public eye. This week’s start to San Diego Comic-Con will undoubtedly reveal more information, with Saturday night’s panel being the big showdown.
There’s even a possibility that somehow all three of these possibilities are true, as they aren’t exactly mutually exclusive prospects. In any case, that Grand Central Station easter egg could be either a reward for the eagle-eyed fan, or a big, wide-open hint at what’s in store in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Only time will tell.
Spider-Man: Far From Home is in theaters now.
