Warning: SPOILERS lie ahead for Loki season 2, episode 2, "Breaking Brad"!
Summary
Credit for the X-Men Easter eggs in Loki season 2, episode 2 is attributed to the show's production designer, according to Director Dan DeLeeuw, who clarifies that these were not intentionally planned. The inclusion of these Easter eggs enhances the excitement surrounding the future introduction of mutants into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Mutants have gradually been introduced into the MCU through previous Marvel projects, and Deadpool 3 is expected to have a significant impact in this regard.
As fans eagerly anticipate the arrival of the superhero team, director Dan DeLeeuw discusses the multiple X-Men Easter eggs featured in episode 2 of Loki season 2. In the upcoming chapter of the Marvel Cinematic Universe show, Tom Hiddleston's Loki, the God of Mischief, races against time to restore order to the TVA as the death of He Who Remains leads to the emergence of new branches that threaten the multiverse. In the latest episode, Loki and Owen Wilson's Mobius discover General Dox's plans to erase every new branch in order to restore order, and they must join forces with Sylvie to save those affected by the new timelines.
During an exclusive interview with Our website to discuss the premiere of Loki season 2, episode 2, Dan DeLeeuw addressed the apparent X-Men Easter eggs. The director attributed the nods to the mutant team, such as the graffiti stating "All M are brothers," to the show's production designer, Kasra Farahani. DeLeeuw acknowledged that although audiences may be drawing connections, these elements were not intentionally planned. In the director's words:
The credit goes to our production designer, Kasra, who is truly a genius when it comes to creating the sets and the overall visual design of the show. As you can see from the posters in the TVA, if you give the art department creative freedom, they will come up with fascinating ideas that have a story behind them. However, these details were not something we had anticipated appearing on set. It's quite funny, actually. It reminds me of a situation I had in university with my humanities teacher. She had a different interpretation of a book than the author intended, and she said to the class, "Well, if it's there, it's there." It's a similar sentiment here. While it may not have been the original intention, if someone wants to find meaning in these Easter eggs, then sure, let it be.
When Will Mutants Finally Arrive In The MCU?
The appearance of X-Men Easter eggs in Loki season 2 goes beyond the London graffiti. Audiences were quick to notice the blast door for the Temporal Loom operation room, with the camera showing a pan from outside the room to the circular lock at the center of the door. This prompted comparisons to the door leading to Cerebro in the X-Mansion, made famous by Fox's X-Men franchise. The inclusion of these Easter eggs fueled further excitement and anticipation for the eventual arrival of mutants in the MCU.
Audiences have been eagerly awaiting the introduction of the superhero team into the Marvel franchise since Disney acquired 20th Century Fox and regained the rights. Over the years, the MCU has been strategically paving the way for their arrival. They have included Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, although with altered origins. In the recent film, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Patrick Stewart reprised his role as team leader Professor X, hailing from a different universe than Fox's, while Ms. Marvel hinted at Kamala's mutant powers stemming from her DNA mutation.
The highly anticipated Deadpool 3 will play a significant role in the introduction of the team into the MCU. Not only will it bring Ryan Reynolds' Merc with a Mouth to the universe, but it will also feature the return of Hugh Jackman's Wolverine and other beloved X-Men characters from the previous films, such as Negasonic Teenage Warhead and Colossus. As Loki season 2 delves deeper into the multiverse, there is the potential for more mutants to be introduced, as Hiddleston's God of Mischief explores various timelines.
New episodes of Loki season 2 air Thursdays on Disney+.