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Courtesy of Marvel Studios
Since Samuel L. Jackson first emerged from the shadows at the end of 2008’s “Iron Man” as Nick Fury, audiences have eagerly stayed for the end credits of Marvel Studios films for a tantalizing preview (or two) of what’s next in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After the pandemic scrambled Marvel’s release plans, however, these scenes have started to forecast a much hazier future, assembling a host of brand-new characters and plot strands that have no official destination. With “Captain America: Brave New World” launching the MCU toward 2026’s “Avengers: Doomsday” (with Robert Downey Jr.) and 2027’s “Avengers: Secret Wars” (with, basically, everyone), let’s take stock of who and what Marvel has left unresolved in its feature films and streaming shows on Disney+. (Obviously, SPOILERS follow!)
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“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” (2021) — Mid-credits scene
Image Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Studios Surprise Cameo? None
What’s the Scene? Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp) receives a full pardon for the events of 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War” and rejoins the CIA — then reveals that she is still operating as the black market criminal the Power Broker, and intends to sell government secrets.
Will This Ever Pay Off? If it does, it will almost certainly be in “Brave New World” or May’s “Thunderbolts*”; VanCamp is not (officially) in either film, but she could still pop up as a surprise. Stranger things happen every day now!
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“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” (2021) — Mid credits scene
Image Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Studios Surprise Cameos? Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) and Carol Danvers (Brie Larson)
Have We Met Before? Yes
What’s the Scene? Bruce and Carol meet with Shang-Chi (Simu Liu), Katy (Awkwafina) and Wong (Benedict Wong) to investigate the mysterious “beacon” embedded in Shang-Chi’s 10 rings.
Will This Ever Pay Off? Maybe. Those rings sure seemed to mean something. But a “Shang-Chi” sequel has been stuck in limbo for years.
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“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” (2021) — End credits scene
Image Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Studios Surprise Cameo? None
What’s the Scene? Shang-Chi’s sister, Xialing (Meng’er Zhang), takes her place as the new leader of the Ten Rings organization in the compound created by her late father, Wenwu (Tony Leung).
Will This Ever Pay Off? The credits literally say “the Ten Rings will return” — and yet … see above.
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“Eternals” (2021) — Mid-credits scene
Image Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Studios Surprise Cameos? Eros (Harry Styles) and Pip the Troll (Patton Oswalt)
Have We Met Before? No
What’s the Scene? Thanos’ libertine brother and his diminutive herald materialize, pledging to help Eternals Makkari (Lauren Ridloff), Druig (Barry Keoghan) and Thena (Angelina Jolie) find their endangered friends.
Will This Ever Pay Off? In our dreams? Sure! But as the MCU’s first real flop, the Eternals, well, aren’t.
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“Eternals” (2021) — End credits scene
Image Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Studios Surprise Cameo? Blade (Mahershala Ali), voice only
Have We Met Before? No
What’s the Scene? Blade, off camera, asks Dane Whitman (Kit Harington) if he’s “ready” to touch the cursed Ebony Blade.
Will This Ever Pay Off? Despite years of setbacks, Marvel’s still determined to make a “Blade” movie. Dane’s blade, on the other hand, will likely remain in storage.
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“Moon Knight” (2022) — Mid-credits scene
Image Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Studios Surprise Cameo? Kind of: Jake Lockley (Oscar Isaac), the long-insinuated second alternate identity of Marc Spector, makes his debut appearance.
Have We Met Before? Sort of.
What’s the Scene? Jake takes Marc’s nemesis, Arthur Harrow (Ethan Hawke), out of a mental health hospital, dumps him into a stretch limo, and assassinates him.
Will This Ever Pay Off? Don’t count on it. Isaac has said he’s interested in returning, and he did voice a variant of Spector in a recent episode of the animated series “What If…?” But it’s been years since there’s been noise about more “Moon Knight.”
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“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (2022) — Mid-credits scene
Image Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Studios Surprise Cameo? Clea (Charlize Theron)
Have We Met Before? No
What’s the Scene? The Dark Dimension sorceress tells Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) he’s caused an “incursion” of universes and they have to fix it.
Will This Ever Pay Off? Probably! Incursions will play a big role in “Secret Wars,” so expect to see more of Charlize in dramatic purple eyeliner.
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“Thor: Love and Thunder” (2022) — Mid-credits scene
Image Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Studios Surprise Cameo? Hercules (Brett Goldstein)
Have We Met Before? No
What’s the Scene? The powerful, barely-clad demigod is commanded by his father, Zeus (Russell Crowe), to kill Thor.
Will This Ever Pay Off? Sorry to fans of Goldstein’s hairy chest (i.e., everyone), but not even Chris Hemsworth seems all that keen on a fifth “Thor” movie.
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“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (2022) — Mid-credits scene
Image Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Studios Surprise Cameo? Toussaint/T’Challa II (Divine Love Konadu-Sun)
Have We Met Before? No
What’s the Scene? Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) introduces T’Challa’s secret son, who she’s been raising in Haiti, to his aunt Shuri (Letitia Wright).
Will This Ever Pay Off? Absolutely. According to Denzel Washington, a third “Black Panther” is a near certainty.
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“Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” (2023) — Mid-credits scene
Image Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Studios Surprise Cameos? Immortus, Rama-Tut, Centurion and a bunch of other Kangs (Jonathan Majors)
Have We Met Before? Not in this form
What’s the Scene? Thousands of Kang variants plot to take over the multiverse.
Will This Ever Pay Off? No. Marvel fired Majors after he was convicted of harassment and assault.
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“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (2023) — Mid-credits scene
Image Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Studios Surprise Cameo? None
What’s the Scene? Rocket (Bradley Cooper) leads a new Guardians team, including Groot (Vin Diesel), Kraglin (Sean Gunn), Adam Warlock (Will Poulter), Cosmo (Maria Bakalova) and Phyla (Kai Zen).
Will This Ever Pay Off? Doubtful. “Guardians” writer-director James Gunn co-runs DC Studios now, and it’s hard to imagine a new film without him.
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“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (2023) — End credits scene
Image Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Studios Surprise Cameo? None
What’s the Scene? Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) eats cereal while gossiping with his grandfather (Gregg Henry) about their neighbors.
Will This Ever Pay Off? Probably. Since the credits promise “the Legendary Star-Lord will return” without mentioning the Guardians, “Secret Wars” is the most credible option.
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“The Marvels” (2023) — Mid-credits scene
Image Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Studios Surprise Cameo? Binary (Lashana Lynch) and Hank McCoy, aka Beast (Kelsey Grammer)
Have We Met Before? Binary, no; Beast, yes (in 20th Century Fox’s “X-Men” movies)
What’s the Scene? Monica (Teyonah Parris) awakens in an alternate reality in which the X-Men, including Beast and a variant of her mother, Maria, exist.
Will This Ever Pay Off? The X-Men are definitely coming to the MCU; whether Monica, Binary and Grammer’s version of Beast will be included is known only to Professor X, aka Kevin Feige.
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“Echo” (2024) — Mid-credits scene
Image Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Studios Surprise Cameo? None
What’s the Scene? While flying back to New York City on his private jet, a wounded Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) overhears TV pundits remarking that the city’s mayoral race remains wide open, and an idea begins to form.
Will This Ever Pay Off? It will, and soon! As seen in the trailer for “Daredevil: Born Again” (premiering March 4), Fisk has, indeed, been elected mayor.
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