When adapting source material for the big screen, whether it's a novel, comic book or video game, details inevitably get lost in translation and have to be altered.
To compensate for this, filmmakers will often sneak in little easter eggs and references to things that didn't make the final cut. That way they can placate fans by acknowledging that there have been some changes to the things they love, while also giving them little extras to look out for.
Such is the case with the new Uncharted movie, which is based on the popular video game series developed by Naughty Dog. Starring Tom Holland as the charming rogue Nathan Drake and Mark Wahlberg as his unscrupulous mentor Sully, the blockbuster takes a great many liberties with its source material but it does pay it homage here and there.
Sometimes these references are big and obvious (like how the film lifts an entire set piece from Uncharted 3 and remixes plot points from the fourth outing), while others are better hidden. It can be genuinely rewarding to spot these things on your own, but if you are not an Uncharted superfan then they will likely go over your head.
To help you identify all of the easter eggs, Newsweek has listed them below.
The Naughty Dog Sticker
Before Nate embarks on his globe-trotting adventure with Sully, he rummages through a suitcase of familial mementos. While he looks over the various childhood photos and postcards from his brother Sam, there is a brief close-up on the luggage lid, where you can momentarily glimpse a sticker of the Naughty Dog logo.
It's a blink-and-you'll miss it easter egg, but anyone who has invested a lot of time into games like Jak and Daxter or The Last of Us will immediately recognize this studio's branding. Of course, the bright red canine paw is also slapped on the box of every single Uncharted release and accompanies their opening cinematics so, if you're a fan, it's likely to be ingrained in your mind.
Paraphrasing Indiana Jones
Until he settles down in the fourth game, one of the defining characteristics of Nathan Drake is that he has no roots or personal ties. As a swashbuckling adventurer, he is always on the move, has business on every continent and doesn't really stick around with others for too long (unless he's on a job with Sully).
This can all be traced back to Nate's lonely upbringing, given that he was an orphan and lost touch with his brother at a very young age. In fact, the closest thing to a stable relationship that he had was with the disciplinarian sisters who raised him at Saint Francis' Boy's Home.
Unsurprisingly, he harbors a lot of resentment toward his former guardians, a fact that becomes crystal clear when he encounters a nun while exploring a Barcelonian church. Stricken with fear at the very sight of a religious habit, he questions: "Nuns. Why'd it always gotta be nuns?"
Rather than another reference to the Uncharted games, this is clearly a nod to Raiders of the Lost Ark, in which the ophidiophobic Indiana Jones similarly asks: "Why does it always have to be snakes?"
Steven Spielberg's classic blockbuster was a huge influence on the original Uncharted, so it makes sense to have a little tribute to it here.
The "Well, Well, Well" Joke
Speaking of the church in Barcelona (Santa Maria del Pi), that's one of the first stops during Nate, Chloe and Sully's treasure hunt. Interpreting various clues, the trio discovers that there is a secret labyrinth hidden beneath the place of worship and decides to explore further.
Along the way they must solve puzzles, sidestep booby traps, and activate bizarre contraptions. One of these is a shaft that opens up and begins flooding the tunnels with water. Upon seeing this for the first time, Nate makes the excruciating pun "well, well, well."
Fans will instantly recognize this as a callback to a recurring gag from Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, where it is actually delivered by Sully instead (who it arguably suits better, given that it's a dad joke). Just like in the movie, this is a knowingly cringeworthy attempt at humor, but one that has become quite popular among gamers.
Hearing a Familiar Voice
If we skip ahead now to the movie's last act, there's a fun little cameo that you might have missed. You won't need to be particularly eagle-eyed to spot this one, as it's more to do with audio.
When Nathan and Chloe wash ashore at a beach resort (following the exhilarating plane sequence), they have a brief exchange with a lounging holidaymaker who remarks that he too has experienced falling out of an aircraft. If you listen closely, you might just recognize his voice.
The actor here is none other than Nolan North, who portrays Nathan Drake in the Uncharted video games (including the one where he fell out of said plane). He's a very prolific performer who has also lent his voice to projects like the first Assassin's Creed, the Halo franchise, Destiny and The Last of Us.
When he continues to wish Tom Holland "good luck" in his ensuring adventure, it feels very much like North is officially handing over the baton to the young actor. The legacy moment is also scored by a variation of the original Uncharted video game theme as well, to further cement its meaning.
Tom Holland Becomes Nathan Drake
The next time we hear that music is during the climactic set-piece on the airborne pirate ship, as Holland finally dons the full Nathan Drake costume.
He's already wearing the cargo pants and plain t-shirt at this point, but he only completes the look when he pilfers a shoulder gun holster from one of Braddock's henchmen. It's at this point that he supposedly becomes the Nate that we all know and love (if you can get onboard with the casting), which serves as a cue for the iconic music theme to blare out triumphantly.
Roman is Teased
The first post-credits scene in Uncharted (which could more accurately be described as a post title card scene) doesn't really contain any easter eggs, as it's more of a blunt sequel tease that sets up the return of Sam Drake.
However, the second stinger does have a few subtler nods to the video games. Here, Nate can be seen negotiating with a shifty villain known as Gage (played Game of Thrones' Pilou Asbaek) who is trying to procure the adventure's famous ring.
During the conversation, Gage mentions that he is brokering this deal on behalf of a man named Roman. Those who have played the first Uncharted game will know that this is a reference to the villainous Gabriel Roman, who races against Nathan and Sully to discover El Dorado.
It's entirely possible that this is laying the groundwork for an adaptation of Drake's Fortune later down the line.
Sully Debuts His Moustache
On that note, the Uncharted movie serves as a quasi-prequel to the games, establishing how Nathan, Chloe and Sully all met in the first place.
Judging by how things end up, a prospective sequel could be a more direct adaptation of the first game. The biggest clue pointing to this is the fact that Sully has now grown his signature moustache.
With Nate having his gun holster, Gabriel Roman entering the picture and Mark Wahlberg sporting that magnificent facial hair, it truly does feel that the filmmakers are setting the stage here for a Drake's Fortune movie.
Directed by Ruben Fleischer and distributed by Sony Pictures, Uncharted is out in cinemas now.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
