James Gunn has reshaped the DC universe with his latest installment, Superman, offering a fresh take that contrasts with the darker tone often seen in the DCEU. The film, starring David Corenswet as Superman, recently delivered a post-credits scene that stood out for its humor and character interaction, reshaping expectations for post-credit sequences in superhero movies.
A New Direction in Post-Credit Scenes for DC
In the film’s closing moments, after Superman and the Justice Gang prevent a disaster caused by Lex Luthor, Edi Gathegi’s Mr. Terrific uses his technological expertise to repair the damaged city of Metropolis. The post-credits scene humorously highlights a minor flaw in the repair work, as Superman points out uneven cracks, leading to a lighthearted exchange with Mr. Terrific. This tone differs markedly from the traditional Marvel formula, where post-credit scenes usually set up sequels or new plotlines. Instead, Gunn’s approach focuses on character dynamics without promising future story threads, marking a distinctive path for DC’s cinematic future.
James Gunn’s Approach Compared to Marvel’s Post-Credits History
It is tempting to compare James Gunn’s leadership of the DC universe with Kevin Feige’s management of Marvel Studios, especially considering Marvel’s decade-long effort to build a connected cinematic world. Initially, Marvel’s post-credit scenes successfully laid the groundwork for major crossovers like The Avengers. However, over time, many of the characters and storylines teased in these sequences failed to materialize. For example, Brett Goldstein’s debut as Hercules after Thor: Love and Thunder has gone unmentioned since, and Kit Harington’s appearance in Eternals has yet to lead to further development. Similarly, The Black Knight’s role in the upcoming Blade movie seems increasingly uncertain.
These unfulfilled setups highlight the risks of relying heavily on post-credit scenes to build future projects. Contrastingly, Gunn’s Superman post-credit moment avoids such pitfalls. It adds meaningful context to the characters’ relationships without making unattainable promises, signaling a more measured and deliberate storytelling strategy for DC moving forward.
Measured Storytelling in an Era of Superhero Oversaturation
With comic book films flooding the market, Gunn’s cautious pacing is a strategic choice that avoids overextension. By not revealing too much, he stokes anticipation for upcoming characters such as Kara Zor-el, portrayed by Milly Alcock. Fans are aware of future titles like Supergirl and Man of Tomorrow but have limited details, building intrigue effectively. This approach allows audiences to focus on the story at hand while maintaining excitement for new arrivals.
Though Supergirl’s release remains a year away, viewers can currently enjoy Superman, streaming on HBO Max, along with its innovative and entertaining post-credit scene that showcases Gunn’s unique vision. This steady, focused direction suggests a promising future for the DC universe under Gunn’s guidance.
Main Cast of Superman
David Corenswet brings a fresh interpretation to the iconic Man of Steel, delivering a performance that anchors the film’s redemptive and hopeful themes. Alongside him, Rachel Brosnahan portrays Lois Lane, contributing depth to the storyline and grounding Superman’s world in human emotion.
