35 Easter Eggs About 'Baby Driver' You Probably Didn't Know!

Spoilers

Produced by British company Working Title and directed by the British maestro Edgar Wright, the brand-new high-octane action film “Baby Driver” has been receiving continuous praise since its release.

As a typical British director, Edgar Wright is renowned for his boundless imagination and personal flair. His meticulously crafted new film “Baby Driver” brilliantly showcases his dual attributes as a devoted movie and music enthusiast. With the meticulously selected 30 soundtracks, the film not only captures exhilarating scenes of car chases, parkour, and gunfights but also subtly embeds numerous nods, humorous Easter eggs, greatly enriching the film's entertainment value. This has made the movie enjoyable even upon multiple viewings.

Let's dive deep into the fun facts that are worth reminiscing from the movie:

[Tributes to lines]

1.Homage to "Shaun of the Dead" with Long Takes

In the opening scene of the film, shortly after Baby goes to buy coffee for his crew members, the long take pays homage to director Edgar Wright's own film "Shaun of the Dead." Similarly, "Shaun of the Dead" also features an opening long take showing the main character Shaun, played by Simon Pegg, wandering through the streets to buy drinks from a store.

2 & 3. A Misunderstood "Mask"

During the second heist in the movie, Doc mentions wanting to buy the mask of the killer Michael Myers from the "Halloween" movie series. However, due to the similarity in pronunciation between "Michael" and "Mike," he ends up buying a mask of Mike Myers from "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery." This becomes a humorous punchline in the scene where the crew members banter before the heist.

4 & 5. "Monsters University" and Meryl Streep are all Cameos

In a scene where Baby and his foster father watch TV, references to movies like Meryl Streep's "It's Complicated," Brad Pitt's "Fight Club," and "Monsters University" appear on the screen. Interestingly, the lines from these movies that flash on the TV also reappear in the subsequent plot. For example, a line from "Monsters University," "You and I are a team. This statement is what "Baby" said later during a date with Debora, after being threatened by Doc, and he had to compromise. This interweaving of movie lines adds depth to the characters.

6."Fight Club" - "Don't Let Buddy See 'Red'"

When switching scenes, the mention of "Fight Club" in front of and after Pitt's appearance occurred twice. When Buddy first sees JD's hat tattoo, he mutters the line from "Fight Club": "Is that what you think?" In fact, it foreshadows that Buddy's fate will take a turn due to love, hinting at the final life-and-death showdown between Baby and Buddy.

Director Edgar Wright talked about this Easter egg in an interview: "I heard someone say that a matador has to be on the ground to end the fight, so Baby has to get out of the car at the end." In the restaurant, Darling also says to Bats, "Don't let Buddy see 'Red'," implying this Easter egg related to the bullfighting theme. Edgar, the director, also pointed out, "When he tries to kill Baby in the end, he's bathed in red light."

7."Couples on the Run" - Honoring "Bonnie and Clyde"

The portrayal of the couples Buddy & Darling and Baby & Debora pays tribute to the classic film "Bonnie and Clyde." While Buddy and Darling engage in gunfights and criminal pursuits similar to the classic duo, Baby and Debora's relationship takes a different, more positive path, breaking the tragic pattern.

8."A Suspected Man Cannot Be Used" - Honoring Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs"

The film also pays homage to the plot of Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs," where the composition of the team changes with each task. In "Baby Driver," director Edgar Wright created a total of three heist operations to showcase this aspect. Each time, there's a completely new team composition, and the third heist is undoubtedly the most exciting supergroup.

9.Tribute to Release Date of "The Driver"

The film draws inspiration from the 1978 movie "The Driver," and its release date (July 28, 1978) is referenced twice in the film. It appears as graffiti on the street wall during Baby's coffee run and as part of Baby's prison number (2871978).

10.Tribute to "A Clockwork Orange" with Sunglasses Gesture

In the film, the gesture of Baby tilting his head to adjust his sunglasses and looking upwards pays homage to Stanley Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange." "Head down, eyes up – I call it the Kubrick scenes. Every time we had to shoot it, I would tell Ansel: 'Think of the expression from 'A Clockwork Orange'!'" revealed director Edgar in an interview.

11."The car needs to be heavy enough to flip the police car!"

During the gang meeting before the second heist, Bats questions whether Baby, who is wearing headphones, is actually listening to Doc's instructions. Immediately after, Baby calmly repeats the entire plan, and at one point says, "The car needs to be heavy enough to flip the police car!" This aspect becomes evident during the final showdown with Buddy, where Baby flips the stolen police car to confront Buddy directly.

[Music-themed Easter Eggs]

12.Why is the protagonist named "Baby"?

Director Edgar Wright has explained on multiple occasions that using code names is common in criminal organizations to conceal identities. "Baby" is the most fitting code name in this gang, as he is the youngest member.

In the movie, the classic soul song "B-A-B-Y" from the album "Carla" by "Memphis Soul Music Queen" Carla Thomas released in 1966 is used as a reference when Baby flirts with Debora. This choice echoes the character setup. Observant viewers might also notice that Baby actually picks up the vinyl record of this album. The protagonist's real name, "Miles," is a clever play on his role as a getaway driver. As for the movie title "Baby Driver," it's taken from the eponymous classic single by the renowned folk duo Simon & Garfunkel.

13.The 15-Year Origin of the Opening Six Minutes

The most talked-about aspect of "Baby Driver" is undoubtedly the thrilling first six minutes of the film. However, director Edgar Wright had actually experimented with this idea 15 years earlier when he directed a music video for the electronic band Mint Royale from Manchester, UK. The song was titled "Blue Song," and it was included in the band's 2007 album "Pop is…." This music video, much like "Baby Driver," also depicted a bank heist, with British comedian Noel Fielding portraying a music-loving driver, similar to Baby.

14. Jamie Foxx Teasing Friend Barbara

The eccentric character Bats in the gang is portrayed by Oscar-winning actor and musician Jamie Foxx. In 2004's "Ray," he delivered a remarkable performance as he flawlessly portrayed the father of American soul music, Ray Charles, and won an Oscar. As a talented musician, Foxx has also received multiple Grammy nominations. Interestingly, while Bats sports a hip-hop musician appearance, he pretends not to know who Barbra Streisand is. In reality, Streisand is a friend of Jamie Foxx and holds numerous prestigious awards like Oscars, Tonys, Grammys, Emmys, and Golden Globes.

15.Not a Good Omen to Listen to "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" Before a Heist...

Bats mentions his former teammate, saying, "We're safe and sound, but he passed away because he was listening to 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door.'" This line tickles the audience's funny bone. This song is by the renowned American folk singer Bob Dylan, who even won a Nobel Prize last year, though he almost missed the ceremony.

Interestingly, Bats' statement isn't unfounded. Director Edgar Wright actually interviewed real-life robbers while making the film, and he learned that they would listen to this song before their operations. They also mentioned avoiding listening to "Hotel California." Intriguingly, one of these real-life robbers, Joe Loya, even made a cameo in the film as a robbed security guard.

[Guest Appearance Easter Eggs]

16.Jon Spencer

The music for the exhilarating six-minute opening car chase scene is from the song "Bellbottoms" by the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion band. Additionally, the last spoken line of the entire film is delivered by Jon Spencer, the lead vocalist of the band. Yes, he's the prison guard who tells Baby, "Kid, here's a letter for you!" The director wanted to create a sense of continuity by using the same artist's music at the beginning and having his voice close the movie.

17.Red Hot Chili Peppers' Legendary Bassist Flea's Cameo

Although Eddie, a member of the second heist gang, has limited screen time, his actor has notable credentials. He's the legendary bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, known as "Flea." Besides his music career, he enjoys making cameo appearances in movies. He played roles like Needles in the "Back to the Future" series and a mind worker named Jake in "Inside Out." Interestingly, the "Back to the Future" series also had characters named "Doc" and "Griff," corresponding to the aliases of Kevin Spacey and Jon Bernthal in "Baby Driver."

18.Baby's Mother Is Actually a Singer

One of the most emotional tracks in the "Baby Driver" soundtrack is "Easy." In addition to including Lionel Richie's original version in the film, a cover version by American singer Sky Ferreira was specially incorporated. In the movie, her version of the cassette tape is not only a memento of Baby's mother but she also personally portrays Baby's mother.

19 & 20. The Unexpected Musicians

The leader of the corrupt cops eliminated by Bats is played by renowned film composer Paul Williams. He has received multiple Oscar nominations for Best Original Song and won both an Oscar and a Grammy in 1977 for his lyrics on the theme song "Evergreen" from "A Star Is Born."

Furthermore, the two "gang members" accompanying Doc in the upscale restaurant scene are actually famous hip-hop musicians, Big Boi and Killer Mike. They have collaborated on singles, with the former being a prominent member of the Atlanta hip-hop group Outkast and one of the creators of "Baby Driver" theme song "Chase Me."

21."Foster Father" and His Voice Actor Connection

The actor portraying Baby's foster father is C.J. Jones, the first African American deaf comedian to perform in Hollywood films. He is genuinely deaf, and his sign language used in the film is authentic. The emotional bond between them touched many viewers.

As mentioned earlier, "The Driver" was an inspiration for this film. Director Walter Hill, who directed "The Driver," was supposed to make a cameo, but due to scheduling conflicts, he couldn't. Nonetheless, he contributed to the film as the "voice actor" for Baby's foster father in the courtroom scene.

22.Reappearance of the Atlanta "ATL Twins"

When Baby shoots and injures Buddy in the restaurant, then escapes with Debora in a red sports car, the two young men in the car with a distinct hip-hop vibe are the well-known "ATL Twins." These twins are known for their appearances in films, magazine covers, and music videos of popular trap rappers.

23.Song Lyrics Graffiti and a Color Change

During Baby's coffee run dance scene, the background song "Harlem Shuffle" features lyrics that creatively appear in various forms as he passes by different spots. The graffiti on the wall initially depicts a spade but promptly changes to a heart when Baby spots the girl he's interested in. According to reports, the graffiti was specially designed by local artist Peter Ferrari.

24.Music Must Start from the Beginning, and Sunglasses Must Stay On

Baby's image with sunglasses and earphones isn't just about looking cool – it also hints at the character's urban hipster tendencies. For instance, he must play songs on his iPod from the beginning and only start driving when the song hits a certain point. He also immediately replaces his sunglasses when they're knocked off. The sunglasses and earphones concept not only reveals his underlying perfectionism but also injects a touch of dark humor, contributing to why the director and film gained such a dedicated fan base worldwide.

25.Stories Behind the Tattoos of the Robbers

Observant viewers will notice that the tattoos on several members of the gang's necks correspond interestingly with their character traits. For example, Buddy and Darling have "her" and "his" tattoos respectively, hinting at their passionate and inseparable relationship. Bats has several bats tattooed on his neck. Additionally, Lanny Joon, who plays "JD," a character with a showy "HATE" tattoo that's later changed to "HAT," symbolizes his unfortunate end as he takes his "last hat."

[Cars with Protagonist Aura]

Throughout the film, there are at least 34 different models of cars featured. Interestingly, because the director had previously interviewed real-life robbers, he knew that their getaway cars would not be the flashy sports cars like those in "Fast and Furious." Instead, they would opt for inconspicuous yet high-performance family cars like Baby's beloved red Subaru BRZ, along with models like ESCALADE, YUKON, and Chevrolet Avalanche. On the other hand, the luxury car in Debora's dreams is a vintage classic.

26.Subaru Impreza WRX

The most eye-catching car in the film is the red Subaru in the opening six-minute sequence. However, before filming, the Subaru was converted from all-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive to perform the challenging U-turn and continuous drifts exceeding 180 degrees!

27.Chevrolet K5 Blazer

In the final "car chase battle," Baby drives a Chevrolet K5 Blazer from the 1980s and clashes with Buddy's police car, ultimately pushing Buddy's car off an overpass.

28.1959 Chevrolet Impala Convertible

Debora's dream "luxury car" turns out to be a 1950s Chevrolet Impala Convertible. This choice reveals her refined taste. In the film's ending, as Baby is released from prison, he steps out to be greeted by a beautiful woman and a classic car – a satisfying ending.

29.GTA 5 Video Recreation of the Opening Scene

The captivating six-minute opening of "Baby Driver" caught the attention of many GTA 5 players. A YouTuber named Domestic Mango created a 4-minute and 37-second video using the game, accurately replicating the most important moments of the six-minute sequence, including lane changes, drifts, and sharp brakes. This homage paid respect to various classic films and extended it to the new hit movie.

[Real Atlanta Landmarks]

The entire movie was shot in Atlanta on the East Coast of the United States. To enhance the sense of realism, the director included many distinctive local landmarks and brands, creating a nostalgic atmosphere.

30.Criminal Records Record Store

After Baby hears Debora humming "B-A-B-Y" for the first time in a restaurant, he immediately purchases the record and returns home to dance and sing along joyfully. The place where Baby buys the record is a vintage vinyl record store called Criminal Records located in Atlanta.

31.Bacchanalia

Established in 1993, it is one of the most highly acclaimed upscale restaurants in Atlanta. In the film, Darling and Buddy mention this restaurant during an elevator kiss scene. Later, in the laundromat, Baby invites Debora on a date to this restaurant, referring to it as the “best place for drinks and dining in the city.”

32.Baby's Sweet Auburn Apartment

The apartment where the fictitious Baby resides in the film is actually located in Atlanta's Sweet Auburn Historic District, near the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site. This district was a vital political, economic, and cultural center for African Americans in the first half of the 20th century. Imagining Baby living here, one could envision him exploring the local town market, where the best meat products, bakeries, bookstores, pharmacies, and popular restaurants in the city are found.

33.Octane Coffee

Before every important meeting with the heist gang, Baby stops by this coffee shop to get his coffee fix. The name "Octane" is perfectly suited for a fast-paced chase movie.

34.Goodfellas Pizza

As Baby tries to move away from his life as a getaway driver for bank robberies, he becomes a delivery driver for Goodfellas Pizza, hoping to bring joy to others with his quick driving skills.

35.Ultimate Romantic Road Trip: ROUTE 66

When Debora and Baby first meet, she describes a dream: "I wanna head west on 20 in a car I can't afford, with a plan I don't have, just me, my music, and the road." This is an incredibly romantic fantasy, suggesting that Debora might be quite the road trip enthusiast. At her workplace, a sign for the iconic Route 66 is displayed on the wall. This renowned "Mother Road" has witnessed American history since the mid-20th century, stretching from Chicago across the U.S. to Los Angeles. It has been featured in movies like "Forrest Gump" and "My Blueberry Nights."

In fact, the British director embarked on a cross-country road trip across the U.S. before writing the screenplay. He solo-drove from New York to Los Angeles, likely absorbing unique experiences along the journey. This might explain the deeply resonating depiction of a "couple on the run" in the romantic escape they dream about.

In the film's anti-climactic ending, the freedom-loving journey on Route 20 is cut short, and unfortunately, their final escape doesn't pan out. However, when Baby is released from prison, he's met by Debora driving a vintage classic car, suggesting that their long-awaited journey of freedom and dreams is finally about to begin.

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