Warning: This list contains spoilers for Chip n’ Dale Rescue Rangers.
To say that there are a lot of easter eggs and cameos scattered throughout Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers would be a glorious understatement. But for as many Disney characters that receive guest appearances in the movie, there are quite a lot of non-Disney cartoon cameos scattered throughout the film.
The likes of Roger Rabbit, Darkwing Duck, and even Peter Pan all make an appearance in the film, but Disney had to work some serious magic to get cast members from shows and movies that are outside of their studio to grace the screen in this love letter to ’80s and ’90s nostalgia.
MC Skat Kat
Although he’s one of the more blatant nods to the past decades, to not mention MC Skat Kat would be unfair. Seen alongside his fellow performer, Paula Abdul, as they appeared in the music video for “Opposites Attract,” the pair are a clear indicator of the age in which the flashback takes place.
He might’ve been somewhat of a one-hit-wonder back in 1989, but it’s still remarkable to see him amongst famous faces like Roger Rabbit and the Three Little Pigs at Chip and Dale’s Party. It seems the Rescue Rangers aren’t the only ones making a comeback in the movie.
Red Alert
One of the first cameos seen in the film is both unusually placed and features an unusual character choice to be scattered in amongst the teenage toons at the high school in the opening minutes. Although a few cartoon animals and animated humanoids can be seen walking amongst the student body, there also appears to be a young Red Alert from the ’80s Transformers series.
The Autobot can be seen in the audience during Chip and Dale’s comedy show enjoying the antics along with the rest of his peers. While it’s not a perfect re-creation, he does bear the same color scheme and symbol of his clan on his chest.
E.T. And Batman
Crossover films aren’t that far-fetched, especially with titles like Alien Vs. Predator and Freddy Vs. Jason. That being said, Batman fighting E.T. was a concept completely out of left field that no viewer could have possibly seen coming. It’s an idea that is ludicrous enough to be borderline believable.
Batman has gone up against some terrible foes, but this is certainly a strange twist. The concept that there would ever be a reason for the Dark Knight to fight Steven Speilberg’s beloved extra-terrestrial is nearly impossible. Only under a parody like this film could it ever hope to see the light of day.
Randy Marsh
Along with Sweet Pete, there are plenty of unsightly characters in the Turkish bath scene, but one character that was probably never even considered in the minds of the audience was Randy Marsh of South Park fame. Thus far in the movie, the viewers have been exposed to several different non-Disney surprise appearances, but this one feels entirely unexpected.
The very idea that someone from South Park would be mixing and mingling with Disney characters sounds wrong on a certain creative level, but Randy can be seen enjoying some time in the sauna with some other animated patrons. That being said, his reputation might not mesh well with someone like Roger Rabbit or Mickey.
Butthead
Although the second half of the duo of Beavis and Butthead doesn’t have a speaking role, he appears in a rather unpredictable and unexpected location. As Chip and Dale escape the bootlegging facility, an image of an adult Butthead can be seen on a bus bench advertising his run for political office.
Referring to political figures as “Buttheads” is certainly nothing new, but there’s something delightfully surreal about this particular member of the MTV generation getting his act together and holding a public office. A toon for senator is very possible in this film’s world.
The Cast of My Little Pony
It feels entirely appropriate that the cast of My Little Pony made an appearance at a comic convention. Seeing as how it’s one of the biggest and most vocal fandoms out there, it makes perfect sense that the likes of Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie would be running through the convention hall surrounded by other animated stars.
Given the fact that nearly every con has someone cosplaying them, selling their merch, or otherwise promoting the show, it seems only natural that they’d want to meet their public with the rest of the celebrity guests. It’s probably not their first rodeo either.
He-Man and Skeletor
Yet another pair of celebrity cameos perfect for a geeky comic convention, He-Man and Skeletor were the faces that defined the Masters of the Universe series and they brilliantly capture the over-the-top nature of’80s and ’90s cartoons. To see them chatting at their booth and hearing Skeletor make quips about his nemesis’ skimpy clothes is far too perfect.
They don’t do anything but further a brief comedic distraction but, like so many characters in the movie, they serve as an extra helping of nostalgia. Though hiding beneath He-Man’s massive bare legs might not have been the best idea on the chipmunks’ part.
Paul Rudd
In a movie populated by a collection of tunes, mascots, and other animated figures, Paul Rudd’s addition to the cast feels a little random. Not because he doesn’t play an animated character or even his Ant-Man alter ego, but because he plays himself. Granted, it’s a parody of himself, but it still feels somewhat odd.
Dozens of well-known celebrities have voiced some of the world’s most beloved animated characters in and out of Disney, but Rudd’s inclusion feels so much like a last-minute inclusion that it comes off as uncharacteristically random.
Ugly Sonic
This is either a stroke of genius or Disney pulling the biggest troll move in decades, but the fact the original CGI Sonic got redeemed for a full-length feature film is wild. Just when it seemed like the original live-action design would be forever lost in a sea of Sonic memes, bad jokes, and cringe-worthy fan art, Disney pulls him from the depths of internet lore and onto the screen.
His design might still be horrendous to behold, especially those ghastly teeth, but the movie makes it work to his benefit. In the end, he becomes much more than a running joke that overstayed its welcome.
Seth Rogen’s Animated Characters
There’s no getting around it, but Seth Rogen essentially plays himself through the entire movie and it’s painfully obvious. They don’t even try to cover his infamous chuckle. The moment it gets to the point where even the filmmakers were getting self-aware was when Bob the Viking is suddenly met by not one but three of the characters previously voiced by Rogen.
Along with Pumbaa, Bob crashes on Master Mantis from Kung Fu Panda and Blob from Monsters Vs. Aliens. True, it’s essentially one giant wink to the audience, but the fact that it’s essentially Seth Rogen having a three-way conversation with himself is what makes it funny.
