Major spoilers for Justice League.

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Justice League goes all in on post-credits scenes, with two extra sequences after the movie ends - one in the middle of the names, one at the very end - that give a bit more time with new characters and vastly expand where the DC Films franchise is heading. Today we're going to take a deep dive into what happens in both, what their comic influences are and, most importantly, the movies they tease.

While the DCEU has had post-credits scenes before - Suicide Squad teased the League's formation - this is the first time the main, Zack Snyder series has. Indeed, it can definitely be read as the franchise trying to Marvel-ize, and at least one appears to be the product of Joss Whedon's reshoots. Nevertheless, it more generally represents the franchise's expansion - both in terms of tone and story. But in what direction?

The Mid-Credits Scene: Superman vs. The Flash (This Page)

Superman Vs. The Flash

Superman and Flash Race

The mid-credits scene takes us back to Kansas where Superman and the Flash are preparing to resolve who really is the fastest member of the League with a race to the coast. They joke about how it's just a friendly game and not a macho competition - but, of course, Barry doesn't really believe that, with Superman ribbing him about how the "fastest man alive" could be kicked off the team. They set the stakes - if Flash wins, he gets to tell everyone he won, if Superman wins, Barry must take the team out for brunch - count down, and race off.

Related: The Fastest Superheroes Of All Time

Ostensibly, this is the "joke" stinger; a bit of light humor after the film allowing a bit more character interaction. Indeed, it's full of callbacks to various moments in the film proper: the entire speed comparison was a running gag between the two, even informing a major beat in the finale, but the brunch line references Barry admitting to Bruce he hated the meal due to its lackadaisical nature (feeling betrayed he shared that personal information) and there's a return of his directional confusion. However, it still has quite a bit of weight in the scope of the story, giving a taste of the camaraderie between the now-formed League; Superman is truly back as a light beacon of hope and Flash has integrated into the group.

In the comics, the duo have a history of competing against each other in footraces and other speed competitions. They first raced in Superman #199, which gave us the iconic shot of the pair racing side-by-side as the League cheers them on, and the friendly rivalry has been returned to repeatedly over the years. While initially DC had the pair always tying to avoid upsetting fans of either character, over time Flash won a couple of bouts, securing his position as the victor (which makes sense - Supes may be fast, but was rarely presented as quick enough to turn back time). As for who wins in the DCEU, well, that's not shown and probably for good reason; it would be far too embarrassing for whoever loses! But if we had to bet, we'd put our money on Barry - assuming he doesn't get lost.

This scene would appear to come from the reshoots. Tonally it's more in sync with what Whedon added - right down to the callbacks being to jokes he added - and, of course, Superman has the blurred upper-lip caused by the CGI removal of Henry Cavill's mustache.

Jesse Eisenberg Lex Luthor Prison Batman v Superman

Lex Luthor and Deathstroke Form The Injustice League

The post-credits scene is where the real future-teasing meat is. We open on Arkham Asylum in the middle of a riot with inmates being evacuated. A guard goes to get an uncooperative Lex Luthor from his cell, only to discover it's a double. We cut to boat in a bay with the clear silhouette of Deathstroke. He gets off onto a yacht and walks up towards the real Lex, bald and now in his classic suited getup, who offers "Mr. Wilson" some champagne to sarcastically celebrate God's return. Slade removes his mask, revealing shock-white hair and beard, and asks the escaped criminal mastermind what he wants. Lex responds that he's got wind of the Justice League's formation and thinks it's only right for them to have "a League of our own".

Related: Every Adaptation Of Lex Luthor, Ranked From Worst To Best

There's a lot to unpack. First up, Jesse Eisenberg's Luthor is back and more like his comic counterpart than in Batman v Superman; we still have the hyperactive millennial manner, but it's paired with a more calculated, measured exterior and a genuine sense of threat. It's been a major topic of discussion whether Eisenberg would be back after Dawn of Justice, with it rumored his scenes in this film had been completely cut, but this shows Lex's true menace is just beginning.

Bigger, though, is the first official appearance of Deathstroke in the DCEU. Joe Manganiello's merc was first teased by Zack Snyder back in September 2016, although whether he'd be in Justice League itself or was being saved for The Batman was never made clear, a situation further complicated by the Dark Knight standalone changing directors and, with it, stories. Then, a month before Justice League, word broke Deathstroke was getting his own film. Now, we've got to see him in proper live-action and it's incredibly comic accurate; the costume is a striking recreation of what fans know, and while the white hair is surprising, it works. Mangianello really does look the part.

What Role Could Deathstroke Play in Justice League?

But we're not just seeing villains together - we're getting the seeds for a whole new film. So, what is it? Obviously what Luthor's alluding to is the Legion of Doom/Injustice League (depending on your preference), both iconic anti-Justice Leagues made up of DC villains, which could be used in many ways. Given DC Films' gung-ho attitude to green-lighting villain standalones, they could be getting their own, hitherto unrumored movie. Or, the Deathstroke film could actually be more of a Doom ensemble piece, with him simply taking a leading role. On the flipside, this may be establishing them as a more typically antagonistic threat, either in Justice League 2 or across the team-focused solo films of the DCEU.

If it is their own film, then there's an air of familiarity here. Just last year we got villain team-up Suicide Squad, which has a sequel in early development, and David Ayer is reportedly still working on Gotham City Sirens. This means any Legion movie won't have the same fresh uniqueness it would previously, something of a shame and a potential flaw in the DC Films momentum; a bad guy picture makes more sense in contrast to a pre-existing superhero team-up.

Whatever it's setting up, we get the impression this was on the cards for quite some time. Whereas the Flash/Supes scene is a clear result of reshoots, this feels like it may date from the Snyder period. At the very least, we know he conceptualized it from an image of his working on the storyboard, and as Lex and Deathstroke were both linked to the film during principal photography it makes sense for this to have been that explanation.

Next: Justice League Reshoots: Every Change Whedon Made To Snyder's Film

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