Summary
TheSupermantrailer 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 onGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Supermanis 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 admittedDCU plans could change ifSupermanfails. Fortunately, Gunn has experience with comic book movies after his time as the director of Marvel Studios’Guardians of the Galaxyfilms, and there’s one particular lesson he learned about post-credits scenes.
Will James Gunn’s Superman have a post-credits scene?
During a press event beforetheSupermantrailer was releasedworldwide,Brandon Davisasked Gunn if the film would have a post-credits scene. Gunn confirmedSupermanwould “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 aGuardian of the Galaxy Vol. 2post-credits scene and then feeling pressure to include the character inVol. 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 fcked myself was when I put Adam Warlock in because then I’m like ‘Oh sht, 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’sGuardians of the Galaxymovies likely know what to expect from anySupermanpost-credits scene. TheGuardians of the Galaxypost-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, andGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’s last post-credits scenepromised 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 inVol. 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 theGuardians of the Galaxycast 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 theMCU has had trouble paying off post-credits sceneslately.
Supermanis scheduled to be released in theaters on May 29, 2025.
Superman
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.”
