Initially, there was a strong possibility for a DC Comics-based cinematic universe, as suggested by the start of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). However, this universe is now being restructured with the arrival of the new DC Universe concept led by James Gunn and Peter Safran. Going back to 2013, Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel” introduced an innovative portrayal of Superman (played by Henry Cavill), setting a promising tone for the DCEU’s future.
Although the initial film installment didn’t include any post- or mid-credits scenes, subsequent movies have hinted at expanding this universe. However, a significant issue arises because most post-credit sequences were often overlooked or disregarded as the DCEU underwent continuous changes by the studio. These alterations involved shifts in tone and the introduction of new creators who deviated from Snyder’s original concept.
Regardless of whether you appreciated the grittier, more adult interpretation of DC Comics’ legendary characters and adversaries, or if you’re a fan of the traditional style, it’s disappointing that many tantalizing hints about the DCEU won’t receive proper resolution. For those who have followed this franchise for a decade, this is likely a hard pill to swallow. No matter your stance on the DCEU, it could have been extraordinary if Warner Bros. had stayed faithful to their initial concept as Marvel did with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, before we dive into a fresh DC Universe, let’s ponder over the missteps of the DCEU, such as mid- or post-credit scenes that didn’t quite deliver on their promises.
Superman returns
As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but feel let down by the way Superman has been handled in the DCEU. It’s not that I have an issue with Zack Snyder’s unique take on “Man of Steel” or “Batman v Superman,” but it’s the studio’s missed opportunity to truly shine the spotlight on this iconic character. After the release of “Justice League” in 2017, Superman was barely mentioned or shown from the neck down (looking at you, “Shazam!”). It’s a shame that there wasn’t a “Man of Steel 2,” especially given that Christopher McQuarrie, writer-director of “Mission: Impossible,” had pitched an idea for it.
However, things took a different turn after the 2021 director’s cut of “Justice League.” The triumph of the Snyder Cut paved the way for Henry Cavill’s return as Superman in 2023’s “Black Adam,” hinting at an upcoming clash between the Man of Steel and the Kahndaq champion, portrayed by Dwayne Johnson. But just as anticipation peaked, Warner Bros. swiftly reversed expectations.
Initially, Cavill’s confirmation of his return as Superman after appearing in “Black Adam” sparked excitement among fans. However, within just two months, everything fell apart. Unbeknownst to Cavill and others, DC Films underwent a rebranding to DC Studios and the entire franchise was reset for a soft reboot. Unfortunately, this meant that Cavill was let go. It was later revealed that James Gunn would write and direct his own “Superman” movie, with David Corenswet taking on the role. To this day, many fans are still upset about the DCEU’s delay in bringing back Cavill’s Superman.
Amanda Waller knows Bruce Wayne is Batman
In its third film, the DCEU shifted focus to explore the villain perspective, with “Suicide Squad” being a daring endeavor from director David Ayer. However, when it was first released, the movie received harsh criticism from critics. Even Ayer himself expressed discomfort with the final version, stating that the studio interfered excessively in the editing process. Despite these issues, there’s one aspect of “Suicide Squad” that is well-received – the appearance of Ben Affleck as Batman.
In a scene following the main credits, Bruce Wayne has a conversation with Amanda Waller (played by Viola Davis) about the whereabouts of his future team, the “Super Friends.” Waller informs him that she’s aware of his secret identity as the Dark Knight, but no action is ever taken with this knowledge. Although “Suicide Squad” hints at a conflict between the Justice League and Task Force X, these teams never interact on-screen. This is unfortunate, as there seems to be an intriguing dynamic between Waller and Wayne.
Reflecting on the path the DCEU could have taken, it would have been intriguing to develop a friendship-turned-rivalry dynamic similar to “Justice League Unlimited.” This could have paved the way for an interesting “frienemy” relationship between the characters.
Years down the line, whispers of a Michael Keaton-starring “Batman Beyond” movie hinted at this as a significant missed opportunity. In “JLU,” it’s revealed that Amanda Waller was directly responsible for Terry McGuiness’ creation, using Batman’s DNA. Even if “Suicide Squad” didn’t initially plan to set this up, a “Batman Beyond” film could have had its origins in this very scene.
However, with Margot Robbie potentially reprising her role as Harley Quinn in the DCU, there’s always a chance that the new franchise might pick up where the DCEU left off, with Wayne and Waller, setting the stage for a “Batman Beyond” storyline.
Lex Luthor proposes an Injustice League
2017’s “Justice League” film presented another significant missed chance in its finale. The new director, Joss Whedon, modified a scene initially conceived by Zack Snyder. In this altered sequence, Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) invited Deathstroke (Joe Manganiello) aboard his yacht and proposed the formation of a villainous group akin to the Justice League since the latter had become public knowledge. Regardless of whether they’re known as the Injustice League, the Injustice Gang, or the Legion of Doom, this setup was clearly hinting at an alliance of evil-doers aiming to counteract the world’s mightiest superheroes.
It goes without saying that this development would have been thrilling for the expanding franchise, as it would have fostered ongoing rivalries. Regrettably, neither character reappeared after this incident, except in Zack Snyder’s director’s cut of the movie. This was disheartening, considering Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke was slated to have a significant role in Ben Affleck’s unreleased “The Batman” film.
As a gaming enthusiast, I can only imagine how epic Affleck’s “Batman” movie might have been if it had seen the light of day. However, after the underwhelming response to “Justice League,” that dream never materialized. Consequently, the Deathstroke storyline and Luthor’s vision for a formidable league of supervillains were left in the dust. Although it was likely for the betterment of the DCEU, I can’t help but feel a pang of disappointment at missing out on witnessing the Justice League square off against a live-action Legion of Doom someday. Perhaps, just maybe, the DCU will bring this thrilling scenario to life in the not-so-distant future.
Sivana and Mr. Mind meet (twice)
As a hardcore gamer, it’s one thing to leave an intriguing cliffhanger that sets up a new adventure, but it’s a whole different ball game when you dangle the same tantalizing hook in two consecutive games without any resolution. That’s exactly what happened with “Shazam!” and its sequel, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods.” At the end of the first movie, the sinister worm Mister Mind (David F. Sandberg) paid a visit to the imprisoned Doctor Sivana (Mark Strong), proposing a partnership. Fast forward two years in “Fury of the Gods,” and Mister Mind returns for another round with Sivana before taking his leave from the now-mad scientist-turned-sorcerer, leaving us hanging yet again.
In a more comedic approach, the scenes hinted at two main antagonists of Shazam, played by Zachary Levi, joining forces for revenge against the Wizard (Djimon Hounsou) and his protege. However, despite this intriguing setup in the DCEU, neither a sequel nor spin-off, specifically “Black Adam,” delivered on the initial promise of showing the formation of the Monster Society of Evil.
In essence, the lukewarm response to “Fury of the Gods” thwarted any genuine collaboration between these villains (similar to Lex Luthor’s Legion of Doom), making such team-ups impossible in the DCEU, thereby rendering those hints entirely pointless. While “Shazam!” is an enjoyable film on its own, the fact that the main post-credits teaser was merely a joke in the sequel explains why it ultimately fell short.
Asteria is alive
As a gamer, I can’t help but compare the refreshing and empowering vibe of the original “Wonder Woman” to its sequel, “Wonder Woman 1984.” While some may have loved or disliked the ’80s flair of the character in the latter, the DCEU journey of Diana (Gal Gadot) is undeniably a legendary one in the superhero world. Regrettably, the mid-credits scene tease from “WW84” didn’t hit the mark for me.
Previously in the image, Wonder Woman narrates the tale of Asteria, an Amazonian warrior who put on the Golden Warrior armor to safeguard her tribe as they journeyed to Themyscira. Diana remarks that Asteria had passed away during battle, but the scene at the film’s mid-credits shows this to be incorrect. Here we witness Asteria (portrayed by Lynda Carter, the original “Wonder Woman” from television) shielding a baby from harm before blending into the crowd.
In simpler terms, the brief appearance of Asteria in the current Wonder Woman project is mainly for fans who’ve loved Carter and this universe for a long time. However, since the DC Extended Universe didn’t seem to have a grand plan (especially after Snyder left), Asteria’s return doesn’t significantly advance the story. If there had been a third Wonder Woman movie, director Patty Jenkins might have used Asteria more substantially, perhaps even helping Diana in a crisis. Unfortunately, with the start of a new DC Universe, questions about what Asteria has been doing for thousands of years remain unanswered.
Shazam is recruited by the Justice Society
Not only did “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” leave viewers feeling disappointed, it also tacked on not one but two unnecessary scenes after or during the credits. Towards the end of the movie, characters from “Peacemaker,” including Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) and John Economos (Steve Agee), confronted Billy Batson, who was amusing himself with his magical abilities. It was at this juncture that they proposed Billy consider joining Amanda Waller’s team, the Justice Society, a group initially showcased in “Black Adam.
The protagonist consents, primarily due to his assumption that the JSA is in fact the Justice League and anticipates a private interaction with Wonder Woman. Afterward, Harcourt and Economos depart following Billy’s persistent inquiries, suggesting a potential future encounter between Shazam and the Justice Society. Although this idea is not revisited in subsequent franchise installments like “Fury of the Gods,” which were among the last DCEU productions before the company-wide reboot, it remains intriguing due to the possibility that Shazam could play a role in the new DCU, given that “Peacemaker” is part of James Gunn’s new universe – with the exception of the Justice League appearances at the end of Season 1.
For now, it seems that the hint given in the mid-credits scene of “Fury of the Gods” might be overlooked or disregarded, as it’s more plausible for the DC Universe (including “Peacemaker” Season 2) to move on without addressing this tease.
Ted Kord is alive
For some time now, there has been much discussion about whether the upcoming 2023 film “Blue Beetle” would align with the established DCEU or the freshly announced DCU reboot. To clarify, much like James Gunn’s other DC productions (“The Suicide Squad” and “Peacemaker”), it will straddle both worlds.
Although a second live-action “Blue Beetle” film seems improbable, an animated series spin-off within the new DC Universe is being developed and expected to launch in 2026. Moreover, James Gunn has confirmed that Xolo Maridueña will continue portraying Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle in future projects. However, since there wasn’t any official DC Universe continuity before “Creature Commandos” and the 2025 “Superman,” the hint at Ted Kord being alive in the post-credits scene of the 2023 film won’t be acknowledged within the DC Extended Universe.
Despite being just a brief moment in the credits, the revelation about Ted Kord’s (portrayed by Bobby McGruther) survival was a thrilling surprise for long-time fans who appreciate this popular comic book character. Indeed, Kord’s charm has earned him a special place among comics, and his recent resurrection in DC Comics has brought delight to fans everywhere. However, unlike the comics, the film’s hint about Kord’s return feels underwhelming. Regrettably, “Blue Beetle” was overshadowed by the announcement of the DCU reboot, and with the DCEU coming to an end, there’s a chance we won’t get to explore this storyline as planned (“Blue Beetle” aimed to initiate a potential trilogy, after all). Fortunately, Jaime Reyes remains in contention for joining the DCU in the future.
Barry and Arthur go out
The last five chapters of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) seemed to indicate that the series had run its course. Henry Cavill’s Superman departed after “Black Adam,” Ben Affleck’s Batman in “The Flash” was overshadowed by Michael Keaton, Wonder Woman made only two uninspiring appearances, and Ray Fischer’s Cyborg was completely written out. To add to this, despite leading their own films, The Flash and Aquaman failed to deliver consistently. In essence, how the DCEU ended its run with the Justice League was a significant letdown, an understatement for the level of disappointment it caused.
As Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen and Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry, also known as The Flash and Aquaman, in “The Flash,” we ended up hopping from bar to bar after our reunion on “Peacemaker.” In one of those bars, I couldn’t help but geek out about time travel, but Arthur, who was pretty tipsy, seemed less than interested. However, even though it felt like a misfire in terms of character development and humor, there was a subtle hint at something bigger – the League possibly delving into the vast multiverse.
This isn’t the first time we’ve caught a glimpse of the multiverse. During the Arrowverse’s “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover event, I accidentally crossed over into Grant Gustin’s Barry Allen’s world when I bled into his television series’ reality. Unfortunately, I vanished before we could chat more, but it was clear that the DC Extended Universe has multiversal potential.
Sadly, due to the poor performance of the “Flash” movie (and the reboot of the DC Universe), the DCEU missed out on fully exploring the multiverse as Marvel Cinematic Universe did post “Avengers: Endgame.” Although there were hints and “The Flash” delved into that realm, the series was cancelled before it could properly do so. However, one can only hope that someday, the DC Universe might revisit the multiverse and rejoin the DCEU, even if just for a while.
All the Knightmare stuff goes nowhere
Dawn of Justice” and “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” aren’t technically post-credit sequences, but if we view the “Epilogue” segment of the Snyder Cut as an extended version of a post-credit scene (which is reasonable), then it fits the bill. This particular scene is often considered one of the most significant missed opportunities within the DC Extended Universe, as the dystopian future depicted in the “Knightmare” could have been a major part of Snyder’s Justice League storyline, had he been given the chance to continue his work on the movie.
In contrast to opinions that Zack Snyder’s trilogy could have permanently ended the DCEU, some find the “Knightmare” timeline a more thrilling conclusion compared to “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” The Snyder-directed “Justice League” introduced Ray Porter as the franchise’s most formidable villain, Darkseid. Moreover, it hinted at an alliance between Batman, Flash, Cyborg, Mera (portrayed by Amber Heard), Deathstroke, and the Joker (Jared Leto) as they pursued a mind-controlled Superman who could have been involved in Wonder Woman’s demise. If “Justice League 2” had materialized, it would have offered an exhilarating experience and perhaps escalated stakes like few superhero movies ever did before.
Despite Zack Snyder eventually revealing his vision for “Justice League” years following Joss Whedon’s alterations, regrettably, the harm inflicted had already run deep. The intricate “Knightmare” plot will remain untold, and we’ll never witness more of this Cyborg or Harry Lennix’s Martian Manhunter. It’s unfortunate indeed, but let’s keep our fingers crossed that the new DC Universe can deliver a Justice League story as spectacular and epic as anything the DCEU might have offered.
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2025-06-14 23:31