Superman: James Gunn Aims to Depart from MCU Tradition Inspired by Guardians of the Galaxy 3

Overview

James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film will include a post-credits scene, though it won’t hint at future DCU projects.
Drawing from his experience with the Guardians of the Galaxy series, Gunn emphasizes enjoyable post-credits moments over elaborate setups.
The tone of the Superman post-credits scene is expected to mirror the lighthearted humor characteristic of Gunn’s previous work.

This week marked the release of the highly anticipated Superman trailer, coinciding with a press event where James Gunn addressed various questions prior to its unveiling. During this interaction, he revealed his intention to deviate from the traditional approach commonly seen in Marvel films regarding post-credits content, a lesson he gleaned from his experience with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Insights on Superman and Its Post-Credits Scene

At the mentioned press event, as discussed by Brandon Davis, Gunn confirmed the film would include a post-credits scene, albeit not in the manner traditionally executed by Marvel Studios. Instead, he plans to offer a delightful surprise for fans who await the credits, avoiding the pressure of establishing future story arcs within the DC Universe. This approach stems from Gunn’s prior experiences, particularly his challenges in incorporating Adam Warlock into the narrative of the Guardians franchise.

“Sort of. If you look at my credits scenes on the Marvel movies, the one time I f*cked myself was when I put Adam Warlock in because then I’m like ‘Oh sh*t, now I gotta put Adam Warlock in the next movie.’ Which was actually a pain in the ass. I’m not gonna set up whole universes with end credits scenes. I love giving audiences who sit through all of the credits end credits scenes but I’d rather it be something that’s fun for the fans and not necessarily, ‘Hey, we’re setting up the whole next part of the universe.’ Because I know how it goes and I know what it’s like.”

Superman flying and kissing Lois in Superman

Audiences familiar with Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy will likely have an idea of what to expect from the post-credits scene in Superman. The Guardians franchise often featured amusing snippets, such as Baby Groot’s antics and Kraglin’s humorous attempts at using Yondu’s arrow. While the first movie’s post-credits scene showcased Howard the Duck, a character with lesser prominence, it’s noteworthy that the stakes were higher with Adam Warlock—a character whose anticipation was much greater, leading Gunn to feel an obligation to integrate him into the storyline of Vol. 3.

The tease regarding the Legendary Star-Lord is deliberately ambiguous, allowing future filmmakers to explore diverse storylines without being tethered to specific characters or narratives. This flexibility is vital as Gunn transitions his focus to the DC Universe for Warner Bros. After granting the Guardians cast his blessing to pursue projects with new directors, he is now committed to fostering a revitalized direction for DC films. Notably, Gunn’s aversion to utilizing post-credits sequences for future project setups reflects a growing trend where even the MCU has struggled to satisfyingly resolve its own post-credits narratives.

Scheduled for theatrical release on July 11, 2025, Superman represents a crucial step in revitalizing the DC franchise amidst prior challenges. As fans eagerly await its arrival, Gunn’s approach promises a fresh take, aiming to prioritize entertainment alongside character narrative development.

Source: Brandon Davis

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