The new Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers film is built to capitalize on nostalgia, but it's supposed to be late 80s cartoon nostalgia primarily. With that in mind, many video game fans were surprised when the latest Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers trailer featured not only a video game Easter egg, but one referencing a much more modern gaming franchise. Specifically, the Easter egg has prompted many video game fans to question exactly what Kingdom Hearts might have to do with Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers.
Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers will be a mystery film of sorts in which Chip and Dale reunite after decades apart to investigate a series of cartoon characters going missing. The scene tied to Kingdom Hearts appears to be a significant spoiler, and one that only makes the Easter egg all the more bizarre, at that. The scene features dozens of plastic evidence bags featuring pieces of cartoon characters, whether it's their hats, gloves, hair, or even their noses and ears.
At the center of this macabre display is a surprise item. It's a keyblade from Kingdom Hearts, displayed in a plastic evidence bag just as all other items are presented. Specifically, it appears to be Sora's first keyblade from the original Kingdom Hearts game. It features a black handle, gold-colored guards, and then a metallic "blade." There's no mistaking exactly what the key blade is or where it's from.
The scene is packed with many more surprise Easter eggs beyond just the Kingdom Hearts keyblade, of course. Jimmy Neutron's hair, Samurai Jack's katana, Rocky's hat from Rocky & Bullwinkle, a Shenron from Dragon Ball Z, and what could be Detective Pikachu's tail. It's clear that Walt Disney has gone above and beyond to fill Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers with references to Disney products from over the past several decades.
While there's no indication that the Kingdom Hearts Easter egg will lead to a direct cameo in Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers, the message from the trailer is clear. There are going to be a number of surprise Disney characters in the film, some featured in ways that may surprise fans. There's a nonzero chance that could include a Kingdom Hearts character.
Before anyone gets their hopes up, however, it's perhaps best to acknowledge what this scene in Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers is really all about. It's intended to be picked up by Disney fans or fans of Disney's various movies and games, and then shared on social media. It's, obviously, very successful at that, but is otherwise nothing to build up incorrect expectations over.
Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers releases on Disney Plus on May 20, 2022.