There have been lots of Star Wars references in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Disney does own both franchises, after all. Some of them are hit-you-over-the-head overt, such as Peter Parker referencing The Empire Strikes Back in Captain America: Civil War. (How he doesn’t recognize Nick Fury and Mace Windu to be the same person is a topic for another day.) Other times, such as in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, the nods are much more subtle. Case in point: Zemo sharing the same cell number 2187 as Leia in A New Hope. Loki, however, contained an equally nuanced Star Wars reference, and its likely a sign of more to come.
Stormtroopers are easily some of the most recognized characters in Star Wars. Their stark white armor, and bulbous helmets, are iconic. Keen-eared fans of both franchises easily picked up on the reference to the Empire’s armored soldiers when the other “Variant” and Loki were waiting to see the judge in the show’s first episode. The soon-to-be-non-existent Variant called the TVA guard a “bucket-head.” Bucket-head is, of course, the nickname the rebels gave Stormtroopers throughout the Star Wars franchise. This time, Marvel referencing its sister franchise may be much more purposeful.
Loki brings Star Wars back to Marvel
Why is this important? Well, at first glance it may not seem so. Some might chalk it up to just another cheeky Easter egg between Marvel and Star Wars. Dig a little deeper, though, and this particular reference may be a lot more interesting. The head writer for Loki is a gentleman by the name of Michael Waldron. He also wrote the upcoming Doctor Strange sequel. Kevin Feige was so impressed with Waldron’s work that the architect of the MCU tapped him to write Feige’s upcoming Star Wars film, as well. The reference to the galaxy far, far away in Loki suddenly doesn’t seem so random, does it?
Something tells us that this may not be the last reference we’re going to see in Loki. We wouldn’t be surprised if Waldon drops more Star Wars Easter eggs in his other Marvel work, too.
Bonus cross-reference: Indiana Jones
If you’re a fan of all things Lucasfilm, then you’re likely to enjoy the Indiana Jones films. The Loki scene in question is also very reminiscent of one in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. When the TVA guard vaporized the other Variant and Loki is then asked for his ticket, he frantically searches for it and waves it in the air… Exactly the same way the passengers did on the Zeppelin when Indy tossed General Vogel out the window. “No ticket.” Well played, Disney and Marvel.
