Finding Easter eggs in a film can be as fun as watching the movie. With the popularity of superheroes in cinema, Easter eggs have become even more prevalent. Fans will watch a movie multiple times to find little references to a character’s history, past adventures, or jokes about aspects that have made it into the zeitgeist.
LEGO Batman doesn’t shirk in its fan service. There are obvious callbacks to the film history of the Dark Knight, and references to various elements of the Batman mythology. Some are blatant, and some require a closer look.
10 The Infinite Abyss Reveals That LEGO Gotham is Built in Someone’s Basement
Gotham City is revealed to be built on flimsy plates. There’s nothing underneath them except “an infinite abyss that smells like dirty laundry.” That sounds a lot like a minifigure’s view of life on a table in someone’s basement.
The LEGO Movie established itself as being built in someone’s basement. Its story was played out by a child on his father’s LEGO city. This is as close as LEGO Batman comes to the same reveal.
9 “You Wanna Get Nuts? Let’s Get Nuts!”
During the initial battle, there comes a moment when Batman responds to Joker‘s taunt in a way some fans remember from 1989. Newer fans that have not seen Tim Burton‘s Batman won’t notice this callback. It’s one of many references to Batman’s film history.
In the 1989 film, Bruce Wayne is confronted by the Joker. Using a fireplace poker, Bruce smashes a vase and yells out, “You Wanna Get Nuts? Let’s Get Nuts!” It’s one of the most quotable lines from the film.
8 The Mutant Leader From The Dark Knight Returns Is Among the Villains
There are numerous Batman villains in LEGO Batman. Many are highlighted by Joker’s role call. There are a few that are more subtly included, requiring eagle-eyed fans to spot them.
When the villains jump on Batman’s Scuttler, one is visibly wearing a visor reminiscent of the X-Men‘s Cyclops. However, this is the mutant leader from Frank Miller‘s The Dark Knight Returns. While there’s not been a LEGO set for that very violent series, it looks like whoever built this version of Gotham City has an eclectic reverence for Batman.
7 Richard Cheese Performing At Commissioner Gordon’s Retirement Party
At Commissioner Gordon’s retirement party, the theme pulled from Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” continues from the opening quote. LEGO Batman wants viewers to know that quote is from Batman, by the way. At the party, a lounge-style version is being performed by a performer identified in the credits as Richard Cheese.
Richard Cheese is the stage name of Mark Jonathan Davis. As Richard Cheese, he and his band, Lounge Against the Machine, have been performing Lounge-style covers of popular music. His appearance in LEGO Batman matches the satirical tone of the film.
6 The Batman Beyond Suit Is Among His Costumes
When picking a costume for Robin, viewers are treated to a gallery of special costumes for Batman. After Robin chooses the Rastafarian Batman costume, sans pants, Alfred shows up in the rotating gallery of costumes. Beside him is a black Batman costume with a red bat symbol. It’s a direct representation of the costume from the popular animated series Batman Beyond that appeared briefly before in a shot of the costume gallery.
Batman Beyond was an animated series set in the future where an elderly Bruce Wayne mentored a new Batman. This new Batman, Terry McGinnis, wore a high-tech Batman suit that allowed Batman to fly. It didn’t feature a cape like the costume in LEGO Batman apparently had on it.
5 The 57th Annual Justice League Anniversary Party
When Batman enters the Fortress of Solitude, he’s surprised to see Superman having a party with the Justice League. Even more surprising, this is an annual event for the team. It’s also been going on for more than half a century.
The party is the 57th-anniversary party, referring to how long the Justice League has been around. It debuted in Brave and the Bold #28, published in 1960. This was 57 years before the LEGO Batman film was released. It’s a little detail for comic fans to recognize.
4 Green Lantern Not Getting Superman’s E-mails Refers To His Absence In Justice League
Batman is never invited to the Justice League’s anniversary parties. This is half-heartedly credited to missed e-mails. Green Lantern then mentions he once missed Superman’s e-mails.
This is most likely a reference to Green Lantern missing from the line-up for the Justice League film that debuted the same year as LEGO Batman. Most of the reason for the omission is assumed to be the poor reception and performance of 2015’s Green Lantern starring Ryan Reynolds. It’s also possible that this line could be an allusion to Hal Jordan being replaced by John Stewart in the Justice League animated series.
3 The DJ at the Justice League Party Is Wonder Dog From Super Friends
Some may think that the caped dog working as a DJ at the Justice League Party would be Krypto. It’s a logical assumption to make but it’s wrong. Superman actually calls the DJ by his name, Wonder Dog.
In the first season of Super Friends, teen sidekicks for the heroes were Wendy, Marvin, and their pet Wonder Dog. They served as comic relief and to help sum up the lesson of each adventure. They were replaced in the second season by the Wonder Twins and Gleek, who can also be seen at the Justice League Party.
2 Penguin’s Iceberg Lounge Is Shown in Downtown Gotham
When downtown Gotham is shown, in the background is the Iceberg Lounge. The Iceberg Lounge is actually a nightclub owned by the Penguin. It’s one of his attempts to appear legit in his endeavors, although it frequently serves as a base of operations more than a legitimate business enterprise.
It debuted in the comics in 1995. It had been in his family since it was built in the 19th century. The Penguin used it to add an air of legitimacy to his role in Gotham City. Not since he tried to run for mayor had such a scheme worked so well.
1 Beach Batman In The Closing Credits
In the closing credits, there are several scenes of Batman’s new group of friends and the Joker. Included in this vignette is the group with surfboards having a beach party. This is another fun reference to the ’60s Batman television series. Specifically, one episode from the third season.
In “Surf’s Up! Joker’s Under!” Joker plans to become the king of surfing. Batman challenges the Joker’s stolen surfing prowess with both men wearing board shorts over their costumes. It’s one example of the campy fun the series was noted for. It’s Perfect for a LEGO Batman to include as an easter egg.
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