The concept of post-credit scenes has been a staple in modern superhero movies since Nick Fury’s appearance at the end of the 2008 film Iron Man. These scenes have become a defining feature, leaving audiences wondering what’s next. Will it be Henry Cavill as Superman, Thanos, or perhaps Harry Styles? For nearly two decades, post-credit scenes have been a key aspect of Marvel Studios’ strategy. Although DC has also experimented with this approach, the upcoming DC Universe may take a different direction.

In a recent discussion with a group of press, DC Studios presidents James Gunn and Peter Safran shared their philosophy on teasing future storylines. According to Safran, “We know where we’re headed to with the larger story,” and Gunn ensures that the necessary building blocks are in place. This approach allows for a significant amount of creative freedom, as long as the overall narrative arc is clear.

Gunn emphasized that unless they are 100% certain about a particular plot point or character, they won’t include a tease for it, either in the movie or after the credits. He drew from his personal experience at Marvel, citing the challenges of incorporating post-credit scenes. “They can be a real nightmare,” he said. “Like writing Guardians 3 and not being sure if Adam Warlock should be in it, but having promised people he would be.” This experience has taught Gunn to be cautious about making promises they may not be able to deliver.

Looking ahead, it’s possible that upcoming DC films like Superman, Supergirl, and Lanterns may include teases for future projects. Since these films are already in production, they are more likely to receive teases than projects that are still in development, such as The Authority or Booster Gold.

In fact, this approach is already evident in the DCU. The appearance of Batman in Creature Commandos is a prime example. Although the details of the Batman film are still unclear, the character’s inclusion in the DCU is a certainty, making it a prime candidate for a tease.

For more insights from Gunn and Safran on the future of DC Studios, read our full report.

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