Hawkeye has finally arrived on Disney+, with its first two episodes now available for streaming. Reception to the series has been mostly positive, and it looks like Marvel may have another success on its hands.
The show is meant to give Clint Barton the focus he's never had in films, while also introducing Hailee Steinfeld's new hero Kate Bishop into the MCU. In fact, the first episode really focuses on her more than it does Jeremy Renner's Avenger.
Steinfeld's Bishop has been praised as one of the best parts of the show, with many saying she's set to become a favorite in record time. Even her first scene––as the 22-year-old student–– is memorable and gives a perfect glimpse of Kate's character.
On top of that, in her debut, Marvel included a deep-seated Easter Egg––one that those who have watched the MCU since Iron Man will truly appreciate.
Iron Man Easter Egg Rings a Bell
In Hawkeye's opening episode, Hailee Steinfeld's Kate Bishop is going through with some sort of dare, and in doing so, ends up shooting an arrow at an old clock tower that crumbles shortly after her shot rings the bell.
It just so happens, that the clock tower has a connection going all the way back to Iron Man.
Looking closely at the establishing shot of the scene, fans can see a sign that gives the tower a name: Stane Tower.
On that same sign are words revealing the tower is named "in honor of Obadiah Stane," the primary antagonist of 2008's Iron Man, played by Jeff Bridges:
"The oldest university bell tower in the United States. Its cornerstone was placed on October 20, 1725.
Rededicated on July 19, 2006, in honor of Obadiah Stane."
Stane was last seen in Iron Man's final act where he dies via the original Arc Reactor's explosion.
Iron Man Influencing Hawkeye From the Dead
It's amazing to see Marvel Studios putting in the time and effort to include little touches like those. It's probably a safe assumption that many fans haven't thought about Obadiah Stane in quite a while, so this reminder was a neat, unexpected addition.
But why would Stane have a tower to his name? Well, it probably isn't anything super personal—he was likely just a wealthy man that helped fund the college; which would be why a piece of the campus was dedicated to him.
The show seems to be putting its all into tying Kate Bishop's introduction in the MCU to everything that came before. The opening scene of the show is the perfect example; having her entire life trajectory focused around seeing Hawkeye during Avengers is a fantastic play by the storytellers.
Hopefully, there will be plenty more Easter Eggs like that to come in the remaining four episodes of the series. Fans will have to make sure to tune into Disney+ weekly every Wednesday to find out.
