While the MCU is better known for its emphasis on post-credit scenes to set up future installments, the DCEU’s no stranger to the practice either. However, constant changes of plans, delays, and cast reshuffles over the year have left a lot of post-credits teasers unresolved for now.
From new films and sequels that are yet to materialize to potential new villains and subplots that were dropped, there’s plenty to unpack with DC’s post-credits Easter eggs. With a major change-up in direction of late for the franchise - including the outright cancelation of projects such asBatgirl,as well asAquaman and the Lost Kingdom’s post-production delay - it could be a while before some of these scenes ever get the payoffs the filmmakers were aiming for.
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Justice League: Superman vs. The Flash
The infamous Joss Whedon cut ofJustice Leagueboasts two curious post-credits scenes. The first is a throwback to a classic, recurring challenge between Superman and The Flash. In a test to see who’s truly the fastest man alive, the two agree to race to the Pacific.
The winner of the race is left unrevealed by the time the end credits resume rolling. In the years since, there’s been no follow-up as to who might’ve won, or indeed anyfollow-up at all to the story of the Justice Leaguebar a new, considerably more well-received cut in 2021 that omitted the race scene completely.
Justice League: Lex Luthor’s Proposal
Lex Luthor winds up as an inmate in Arkham Asylum due to his crimes inBatman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. He’s not seen again for most of eitherJustice Leaguecut until a post-credits outro in the Whedon cut that also serves as an epilogue scene in the Snyder Cut.
It’s revealed thatLuthor hired Deathstroke to rescue him from the Gotham facility. Now on Luthor’s yacht, Deathstroke and Superman’s nemesis discuss the arrival of the Justice League. Luthor then suggests they form a league of their own, with many fans and pundits believing this was supposed to lead to the Injustice League in a future film.
Aquaman: Black Manta Meets Dr Stephen Shin
Aquamansees a young-in-his-villainy-career Black Manta struggle to get the better of Arthur Curry. Every time they meet, Manta is soundly defeated, even losing his father early on after the pair’s crimes are thwarted by the ocean king. Dr Stephen Shin, a marine scientist who has an obsession with Atlantis, offers Black Manta a lifeline during the post-credits.
In exchange for Black Manta helping Shin discover the underwater city, the increasingly unhinged doctor agrees to aid the supervillain in finally getting some payback on his hated, heroic nemesis. This scenewill likely pay off next yearwith the release of the long-awaitedAquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
Shazam!: Dr. Sivana Meets Mister Mind
Following his showdown with - and eventual defeat at the hands of - Shazam, Dr Sivana is behind bars for his crimes. Now without superpowers, the miserable Sivana is drawing a variety of symbols on the walls of his prison cell when a minuscule, alien caterpillar arrives to share some curious information.
Mister Mind, a classic member of Shazam’s rogues gallery, mocks the human species before providing a major revelation for the mad scientist. The telepathic creature speaks of the pillars of evil that will form in the near future to conquer the seven realms of magic. This could be a reference to his villainous group, The Monster Society of Evil. With therecent reveal that Mr Mind won’t be inShazam!: Fury of the Gods, this scene is unlikely to pay off any time soon.
Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn): Harley Quinn knows Batman’s Secret
Batman is curiously absent from the Gotham hijinks on display throughoutthe Harley Quinn-dominatedBirds of Prey. His mysterious disappearance from the world of crime fighting is another key factor that leads to the Birds having to take Black Mask - one of his countless criminal rivals - down instead.
For viewers who sit through the entirety of the end-credits, Harley Quinn breaks the fourth wall via voiceover, acknowledges the audience, and promises to reveal a secret about Batman. The audio then cuts out before she can finish her sentence, leaving the viewer hanging in regard to the info she might have provided. Harley Quinn’s next film appearance inThe Suicide Squadprovided no follow-up on her dynamic with Batman, leaving this humorous moment as a mystery for fans.
Wonder Woman 1984: Asteria is Still Alive
The legendary Asteria’s armor becomes a crucial plot point in the third act ofWonder Woman 1984. A great Amazonian warrior from ancient times, Asteria was believed to have died defending the Amazons during their escape to Themyscira. Left behind, the mighty warrior turns out to still be alive and living outside the Amazons’ island.
Portrayed by Lynda Carter, the original Wonder Woman in the ‘70s TV series, Asteria rescues a family from a falling pole. Given her legendary status among the Amazons, a potential meeting between Asteria and Wonder Woman could be a major plot point in the future. However,with the date forWonder Woman 3still up in the air,Asteria’s status and potential future storyline in the DCEU will likely remain unclear for some time to come.
Black Adam: A Surprise Return
The DCEU’s most recent release provided a potentially game-changing scene after its credits started rolling. Black Adam has embraced his role as Kahndaq’s guardian, when Amanda Waller warns that he should stay in the fictional nation unless he wants trouble. Never one to shrug away a threat, an angered Adam is confronted by none other than Henry Cavill’s Superman.
The surprise reveal of Superman opens many questions moving forward. For one, many viewers will likely be curious about Superman’s dynamic with Amanda Waller and, by extension, a potential showdown with Black Adam. Another major point to consider here isthe official confirmation of Cavill’s return to the role, something that was, at one point, considered unlikely to happen. With bothBlack Adam 2andMan of Steel 2reportedly in the works, this post-credits scene will likely pay off over the next couple of years.
