James Gunn on post-credits scene philosophy for Superman is front and center as the director confirms the new film will feature an end-of-credits moment, with his approach shaped heavily by lessons from his Marvel Studios days. Speaking ahead of Superman’s July release, Gunn described how experience with Marvel, specifically challenges with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, influenced a more careful, measured philosophy regarding stingers in the DC Universe.
Adapting from Past Mistakes in the Marvel Universe
While promoting Superman through an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Gunn shared candid reflections on his creative approach to post-credits scenes. He admitted that mistakes made during his work with Marvel have colored his current thinking on what he wants those scenes to accomplish. The specific example he cited was the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 post-credits sequences, which included a tease for Adam Warlock’s arrival. This scene, intended to excite fans, ended up creating long-term narrative challenges for both him and the studio.
“I have a philosophy about post-credit scenes. It’s somewhat related to my own mistakes in my time with Marvel,”
Gunn stated. —James Gunn, Director
He continued with an honest breakdown of the pitfalls in setting expectations too early.
“I did not like what I did in Guardians 2 where we set up Adam Warlock and we set up the Guardians of the Galaxy and we set up all this s— that I didn’t necessarily plan on,”
Gunn said. —James Gunn, Director
The director admitted that although he did intend for Adam Warlock to enter the saga, having to fulfill that promise strictly because of a stinger forced his creative hand.
“Well, I guess I kind of planned on fulfilling that [Adam Warlock] promise, but you want to be careful about that. The way a post-credits scene works is a punch to the face, like, ‘Oh my God! Look at this.’ At times when you’re using it just solely to set something up, sometimes you’re screwing yourself over. It was not easy to work Adam Warlock into Guardians 3.”
—James Gunn, Director
Shaping a Distinct Strategy for Superman
In contrast to his Marvel experience, Gunn described an easier time with post-credits scenes while working on The Suicide Squad. In that film, the end credits moment was directly tied to the Peacemaker TV show, which was already in production.
“I started shooting the Peacemaker show and then I shot [the post-credits scene] and then put it in there, so it was easy.”
—James Gunn, Director
For Superman, Gunn has already confirmed the presence of a post-credits scene. Answering fan questions about the movie’s run time, he revealed that with credits and this scene, the total length is 2 hours and 9 minutes. This makes it the briefest Superman theatrical outing since 1987’s Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, which lasted 90 minutes.
Fandom Hopes and Speculation About the New DCU
Superman marks the starting point of a new era in the DC Universe, now overseen by DC Studios with Gunn at the creative helm. Fans and industry observers have speculated that the upcoming post-credits moment could offer a glimpse of future projects in the pipeline. Among the properties receiving attention are Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, slated for a summer release, and the Lanterns series currently filming. Actor Nathan Fillion is set to debut as Guy Gardner in Superman before returning to the role in Lanterns. Marvel Studios famously used post-credits scenes for cross-promotion and broader storytelling, so expectations run high that Gunn might employ a similar strategy for DC’s rebooted universe.
However, Gunn’s public comments urge audiences not to expect far-reaching teasers. The DCU is still in its early stages, and the creative slate remains flexible, with some plans and properties already shuffled or delayed. Teasing too far ahead in the unpredictable environment could set up expectations that the studio is later forced to abandon. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has faced such issues, and Gunn is determined to avoid those narrative traps as he leads DC’s next phase.
A More Self-Contained Approach to Superman’s Post-Credits Scene
Given this philosophy, the post-credits scene for Superman is likely to focus on wrapping up threads specific to the movie itself or delivering a final comedic beat, instead of announcing distant future storylines. Gunn referenced his affection for the post-credits moment in the original Guardians of the Galaxy, which was more about sending audiences home with a joke through a cameo by Howard the Duck rather than unveiling grandesque franchise plans.
Based on his comments, the Superman stinger might resolve a minor subplot left open by the film’s ending or deliver a memorable punchline, reinforcing the tone of the movie and providing an enjoyable send-off, rather than a direct teaser for other DC Universe properties. The intent is to give viewers a satisfying bonus rather than a promise that may or may not be kept later.
What This Means for the DC Universe Moving Forward
James Gunn’s recalibrated approach indicates a shift for DC Studios as the company launches a new era. By focusing on post-credits scenes that serve the story more than the franchise’s marketing needs, Gunn hopes to avoid the pitfalls he experienced with Marvel and foster a firmer narrative foundation for future films. With Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner, the Peacemaker spin-off, and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow all looming, the balance between hype and payoff remains delicate.
For now, audiences can anticipate a Superman post-credits scene that prioritizes clever storytelling and enjoyment over forced setups. As the DC Universe continues to evolve, Gunn’s transparency may help temper expectations, ensuring fans are delighted rather than disappointed by what comes after the credits roll.
