Summary
- James Gunn’s Superman will have a post-credits scene, but it won’t set up future DCU projects.
- Gunn learned from including Adam Warlock in Guardians of the Galaxy films and aims for fun post-credits scenes.
- The Superman post-credits scene may follow the comedic style of Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy films.
The Superman trailer was released this week, and James Gunn fielded questions at a press event held days before it debuted to the public. At the event, Gunn revealed he won’t continue one MCU tradition after learning a difficult lesson on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Superman is the first feature film in Gunn’s new DC Universe franchise. As such, it will set the tone for the DCU and must get the rebooted franchise off to a strong start after a series of recent disappointments and flops for Warner Bros.’ DC movies. A lot is riding on the film, as even Gunn admitted DCU plans could change if Superman fails. Fortunately, Gunn has experience with comic book movies after his time as the director of Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy films, and there’s one particular lesson he learned about post-credits scenes.
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During a press event before the Superman trailer was released worldwide, Brandon Davis asked Gunn if the film would have a post-credits scene. Gunn confirmed Superman would “sort of” feature a post-credits scene but unlike Marvel Studios films, he plans to use them as a fun treat for fans who sit through the credits instead of setting up a future DCU project. The director seemingly learned a lesson after teasing Adam Warkock in a Guardian of the Galaxy Vol. 2 post-credits scene and then feeling pressure to include the character in Vol. 3, which Gunn admitted was a “pain in the ass.”
Sort of. If you look at my credits scenes on the Marvel movies, the one time I f*cked myself was when I put Adam Warlock in because then I’m like ‘Oh sh*t, now I gotta put Adam Warlock in the next movie.’ Which was actually a pain in the ass. I’m not gonna set up whole universes with end credits scenes. I love giving audiences who sit through all of the credits end credits scenes but I’d rather it be something that’s fun for the fans and not necessarily, ‘Hey, we’re setting up the whole next part of the universe.’ Because I know how it goes and I know what it’s like and it’s like you think of the best credits scene, but then you gotta adhere to that down the road.
Fans who have seen Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy movies likely know what to expect from any Superman post-credits scene. The Guardians of the Galaxy post-credits scenes were largely short sequences with comedic bits like Baby Groot dancing whenever Drax wasn’t looking or Kraglin struggling to control the arrow bequeathed to him after Yondu’s death. Yes, the first movie’s post-credits scene introduced the MCU version of Howard the Duck, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3‘s last post-credits scene promised further adventures with Star-Lord. However, Howard Duck was more of a niche character, so Gunn probably didn’t feel obliged to bring the character back for a substantial role (though Howard did make small appearances in subsequent MCU movies). Adam Warlock was considerably more popular and much-anticipated, so it is understandable why Gunn felt he forced himself to include the character in Vol. 3.
The Legendary Star-Lord tease is vague enough that whoever tackles the project won’t be committed to a particular character or story. It would presumably have to follow Star-Lord on Earth at least for a bit, but that won’t be Gunn’s problem now that he’s working at DC Studios. Gunn has stated that the Guardians of the Galaxy cast has his blessing to carry on with a new director, but he’s now focused on building the DC Universe for Warner Bros. It’s probably best that he doesn’t want to use post-credits scenes to set up future projects. No one wants to be committed to a story or character when plans can change. Besides, even the MCU has had trouble paying off post-credits scenes lately.
Superman is scheduled to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.
Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman is the first movie in Warner Bros.’ rebooted DC Universe to center around the titular comic book hero. It introduces a new version of the Man of Steel after Henry Cavill departed from the role, honoring the character’s roots as “the embodiment of truth, justice, and the American way.”
- Release Date
- July 11, 2025
- Cast
- David Corenswet , Rachel Brosnahan , María Gabriela De Faría , Edi Gathegi , Nicholas Hoult , Frank Grillo , Nathan Fillion , Milly Alcock , Sara Sampaio , Pruitt Taylor Vince , Skyler Gisondo , Anthony Carrigan , Wendell Pierce , Beck Bennett , Sean Gunn
- Distributor(s)
- Warner Bros. Pictures
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