Warning: This article contains spoilers for Black Adam.Henry Cavill has returned as Superman in the Black Adam post-credits scene, and his future looks bright in the DCEU. The DC Extended Universe was built on the foundation of Zack Snyder's Man of Steel, but unfortunately it hasn't consistently seen the same praise and success as its chief rival, the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Behind-the-scenes drama has resulted in countless course-corrections, with very visible consequences; one of the most notable is the fact Henry Cavill's Superman hasn't been seen on the big screen since Justice League. All that has, thankfully, changed.

Henry Cavill returns in the Black Adam post-credits scene, swooping down out of the skies to confront DC's newest antihero. He's been given a brighter version of his Man of Steel costume, and he was accompanied by the John Williams theme tune rather than Hans Zimmer's. Snyder's earlier films had stressed that his version of Superman was on a journey to becoming the superhero audiences know and love, and these choices seem designed to assure viewers that journey is now complete. The post-credits scene is undoubtedly a promise that Henry Cavill's Superman is returning as a power player in the DCEU.

Related: What Would Man Of Steel 2 Even Look Like Now?

Black Adam's Post-Credits Scene Sets Up Man Of Steel 2

Superman and Black Adam custom image

DC's initial focus is on Man of Steel 2, a film that's been in limbo ever since Snyder's plans morphed into Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. Man of Steel 2 is finally in development, with Warner Bros. actively seeking both writers and a director. Black Adam's post-credits scene clearly seems to hint this will be a Black Adam vs. Superman film, fulfilling Dwayne Johnson's hopes. There is, of course, a degree of irony to the fact Superman will again be appearing in a versus movie, although this time he'll be taking on another physical powerhouse, and his opponent likely won't be resorting to Kryptonite. It is worth noting that Superman is traditionally vulnerable to magic in the comics, so Black Adam will likely have the advantage in this particular fight.

Man of Steel 2 is still only in the earliest stages of development, which is why it doesn't feature in the official DC Films release slate. Henry Cavill's Superman, but there's no word yet on any supporting cast, such as Amy Adams' Lois Lane and Laurence Fishburne's Perry White. Still, the actors have expressed willingness to reprise their roles in the past, so hopefully they'll be returning for the sequel.

Superman's Black Adam Conflict Is Planned As A Long-Form Storyline

Henry Cavill Superman Dwayne Johnson Black Adam

DC Films has developed a reputation for rushing things, but there's some evidence the studio is finally beginning to learn its lesson. According to Black Adam producer Hiram Garcia, the plan isn't simply to throw Superman and Black Adam together much as a kid would mash together two of their favorite action figures. "It's never been about a one off or just about a fight," he insisted in one interview. "We really want to craft a long-form of storytelling and show that these two characters exist in the same universe and are going to have to deal with each other often, either on the same or opposite sides." Viewers can expect a longer arc involving Superman and Black Adam, rather than simply a hurried fight.

The comment from Garcia is an important one, because it suggests he envisions a story that weaves through multiple films in which the two characters find themselves having to negotiate existing in the same universe. "Fans want to feel a journey between these guys knowing that these guys exist in the same universe," he added, implying that the dynamic will change and evolve as the story continues. The vision is essentially of Dwayne Johnson's Black Adam as a recurring presence in Superman's world, and Henry Cavill's Superman in Black Adam's. It's an interesting evolution of the shared universe model.

Related: Black Adam Ending Explained (In Detail)

Superman Could Appear In Other Post-Credits Scenes

Barry Allen Flash and Superman Logo

There's naturally speculation about whether Cavill's Superman could appear in other DCEU films, such as The Flash. In truth, although Cavill could potentially appear in The Flash in its post-credits scenes, this is unlikely; he doesn't logically fit into the story, and the script for The Flash 2 has already been written (although it will only go ahead if the first film is a financial success). Superman doesn't really work well in any of the other confirmed DCEU movies, either, so the same principle likely applies for Blue Beetle and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. DC Films would be wise to avoid over-depending on any one actor, so they will hopefully avoid over-exposing Cavill.

Henry Cavill's Superman Is Surely A Step Towards Justice League 2

Henry Cavill's Superman and DCEU Background

Justice League was intended to be the climax of the DCEU's first "phase," following the pattern of Marvel's The Avengers. Unfortunately, Justice League became a controversial failure, leading DC Films to move away from the idea of a closely-connected shared universe. Henry Cavill's return, and talk of an overarching plan for Superman and Black Adam signified a major course-correction back towards that concept. Dwayne Johnson has been openly speaking of Black Adam as the beginning of a new phase for the DCEU, deliberately borrowing a term from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and thus subtly encouraging viewers to begin looking towards the endgame.

The ultimate endgame is logically Justice League 2, with the various DCEU superheroes uniting against a single threat. This will be a difficult task, because DC Films will naturally face calls to restore the Snyderverse, when in reality the studio will simply want to move on. Justice League 2 would therefore be a soft reboot, an attempt to begin that particular massive franchise again and try to make it a success this time. Presumably, both Henry Cavill's Superman and Dwayne Johnson's Black Adam will be part of this second Justice League, and it's interesting to note DC Comics has brought Black Adam into the Justice League ahead of his big-screen debut - presumably helping to establish a stronger tie between the antihero of Black Adam and the rest of the Justice League. This idea seems to hint that the long-form story of Black Adam and Superman will end, as all superhero versus matches do, in the pair becoming allies.

Next: Where's The Justice League During THAT Black Adam Scene?

Key Releases