As the highly anticipated ‘Superman’ film marks the official beginning of the revamped DC Universe, fans naturally had high expectations. This was not just for the movie itself, but for the post-credits scenes that have become a staple of modern superhero cinema.
Marvel may have perfected the formula, but now it’s James Gunn’s turn to set a new tone for DC Studios. And with ‘Superman’, he’s done just that by choosing not to tease a bigger cinematic roadmap in the credits.
James Gunn Explains Why Fun And Emotional Moments Are More Important Than Empty Teases
It’s a move that has sparked mixed reactions. On one hand, it subverts expectations in a way that’s bold and refreshing. On the other hand, fans hungry for concrete hints about Lanterns, Supergirl, or the broader “Gods and Monsters” storyline walked away without the breadcrumbs they were hoping for. However, according to Gunn, there’s a reason for this shift, and it’s rooted in honesty, purpose, and a little bit of movie magic.
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Gunn didn’t use Superman’s post-credits scenes to set up upcoming DCU projects. Instead, he opted for more character-driven, emotional beats that enrich the film’s narrative and give fans a satisfying epilogue. The mid-credits scene finds Superman (David Corenswet) and Krypto sharing a rare peaceful moment, sitting together on what appears to be the moon, looking down on Earth.
For anyone familiar with their turbulent relationship in the movie, this quiet sequence speaks volumes. After a film full of chaos, destruction, and cosmic responsibility, we finally see Clark and his misbehaving super-dog bond. Then comes the post-credits scene, which shifts the tone toward humor. Superman and Mister Terrific are seen inspecting a building that had been fractured by a dimensional rift.
Clark points out that something feels “a little bit off,” to which Terrific responds defensively before storming off in frustration. Left alone, Superman sheepishly mutters, “I’m such a jerk sometimes.” These moments, though not packed with dramatic reveals, serve a different and more meaningful purpose. They spotlight character relationships.
Why James Gunn Chose Emotional Storytelling Over Hype With ‘Superman’
In an exclusive interview with ScreenRant, James Gunn addressed the elephant in the room: Why didn’t Superman set up Supergirl, Lanterns, or some looming crossover event? “I really have found and I’ve said it before that I’ve set up things in post-credit scenes, and Marvel has set up things in the post-credit scenes that never pay off,” Gunn explained.
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“Unless it’s really for sure going to pay off… I don’t want to set up stuff just because it’s a shocking post-credit scene that we’re never going to pay off.” That’s a subtle but sharp dig at the broader superhero movie trend of planting seeds that never blossom. Whether it’s Harry Styles’ Starfox in Eternals or the now-impossible return of Henry Cavill in ‘Black Adam‘, audiences have been burned before.
Gunn knows this, and he wants to earn back their trust. He points out that some of his most beloved post-credits scenes in Marvel, like Howard the Duck or Stan Lee’s final moment in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’, were simply fun, “stupid” surprises that didn’t promise more than they could deliver. And that’s the energy he’s bringing to DC.
“I like giving the audience something for having stuck around through the credits,” Gunn said. “Giving them something, I think, is fun. And that’s what I did. So we put Terrific at the end.” This emphasis on emotional satisfaction and comedic charm over franchise building may not thrill everyone, but it’s a refreshing change. Gunn is playing the long game, and he knows the importance of sticking the landing.
