MCU Post-Credits Scenes That Need Updating (After WandaVision's Change)

Now that WandaVision has started the trend, what other MCU post-credits sequences could use a fresh coat of Marvel paint? Marvel Studios didn't invent post-credits scenes, but you'd be forgiven for thinking otherwise - the cinematic superhero powerhouse popularized the technique, and many more directors have followed suit since. Marvel is, however, one of the first studios to use the post-credits sequence as a means of hyping future releases. Few franchises have utilized those final frames as effectively, with MCU post-credits relied upon to provide connective tissue between movies, introduce new characters, and resolve lingering plot threads.

Though MCU fare is now divided between the big screen and Disney+, the post-credits scene tradition is going nowhere. WandaVision tickled fan taste buds with a mysterious final shot of Wanda Maximoff studying the Darkhold at a mountain retreat, swamped in red chaos energy, and building toward her upcoming appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. One benefit of Disney+ is that Marvel wields complete control over its content, and Kevin Feige has exercised this power by subtly amending WandaVision's post-credits. The CGI scenery is different, the lighting has been altered, and some fans believe Strange himself can be seen floating down the mountain.

While a barely-visible blur of light probably isn't supposed to represent Benedict Cumberbatch, the scene has definitely been updated in other areas. And if changing post-credits sequences is something Marvel is now doing, others could maybe use a touch-up. There is, of course, an argument that such post-release fiddling should be avoided altogether. Just ask George Lucas how much fans appreciate fresh CG. But if it's going to happen, here are the changes that might just be worth making.

Thor (2011) - Loki Controlling Selvig

Tom Hiddleston as Loki and Stellan Starsgard as Erik Selvig in Thor

Following Loki's defeat at the end of 2011's Thor solo movie, the God of Mischief returns once the credits are over. Stellan Skarsgård's Erik Selvig has caught the eye of SHIELD and is being given a guided tour by none other than Nick Fury himself, who wants the renowned astrophysicist to study their recovered Tesseract. During the pair's conversation, Tom Hiddleston appears in a reflection uttering "well, I guess that's worth a look" which Selvig then parrots. The obvious implication is that Loki controls Selvig's mind ahead of his forthcoming invasion of Earth, but in The Avengers, Selvig appears to be completely in control. Loki then touches the scholar with his Mind Stone spear (along with Hawkeye and others), and starts controlling Skarsgård's character... again?

Thor's post-credits and The Avengers don't seem to agree on exactly when Selvig fell under Loki's sway. Perhaps the Asgardian troublemaker was influencing the scientist via magic before coming to Earth, then corrupted him fully upon arrival. Maybe Loki manipulated Selvig into firing up the Tesseract, allowing him to reach Earth in the first place. Since both explanations remain speculative, the potential plot hole could be filled by removing Loki's dialogue from Thor's post-credits, but retaining his presence. This would imply Loki is keeping an eye on Earth and the Tesseract, but doesn't make a direct connection between the trickster and Selvig, saving that for The Avengers.

The Avengers (2012) - Thanos

Thanos smiles in post credit sequence in Avengers

The Avengers' shawarma scene is perfect, but the preceding post-credits introduction of Thanos could use some work. When the first MCU team-up was filmed, Thanos was penciled in as the Infinity Saga's overarching villain, but Josh Brolin hadn't been cast, and a final design wasn't yet settled upon. From skin shade to facial features, the Thanos seen grinning after the Battle of New York is a far cry from the fully-realized villain rendered for Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Were Marvel so inclined, The Avengers' original post-credits could be edited to replace prototype Thanos with the more recognizable face of Josh Brolin, bringing a visual consistency that Thanos isn't currently afforded.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier - Wanda's Magic

Scarlet Witch in the Captain America Winter Soldier Post Credits

The recent changes made to WandaVision's post-credits sequence are subtle and cosmetic in nature, improving the visual appeal without altering the meaning. In the same vein, Scarlet Witch's MCU debut might benefit from updated CGI. Captain America: The Winter Soldier's mid-credits scene introduces the Maximoff twins as prisoners of HYDRA. The captured duo are both seen displaying their powers, with a frenzied Quicksilver darting across his small cell, and Wanda absentmindedly levitating some wooden blocks. The red glow surrounding Wanda's hands indicates she's utilizing her power, but the visual effect is a little different compared to her later appearances, with the red CGI becoming much more pronounced. Similar to Thanos' morphing face, Marvel could bring this early glimpse of Scarlet Witch's powers in-line with the wider MCU by making the ability a little more... scarlet.

Avengers: Age Of Ultron - Everything

Josh Brolin as Thanos in Avengers: Age of Ultron Post-Credits Scene

The MCU's most problematic post-credits scene by some distance comes courtesy of Avengers: Age of Ultron, sitting so awkwardly in franchise canon that everyone from the Russo brothers to Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame writers) has failed to explain it. In the scene, Thanos seizes a waiting Infinity Gauntlet from a vault and boldly proclaims "fine, I'll do it myself." There are a number of problems here - firstly, a new film brings a new Thanos, who looks completely different once again. Thanos' post-credit line makes little sense either, since Ultron wasn't his creation and sending the Black Order doesn't exactly count as "doing it yourself." Precisely where Avengers: Age of Ultron's final scene takes place is a mystery, since it looks nothing like any of the villain's ships and, finally, Thanos shouldn't receive the Infinity Gauntlet from Eitri until after Asgard's destruction in Thor: Ragnarok.

The easiest way to fix Avengers: Age of Ultron's post-credits sequence is to put it in the bin. If the scene must stay, however, Thanos should again be replaced by the final character design, and his dialogue could be removed to clear up any plot confusion. The location could be altered to either Thanos' ship or Nidavellir (where the Russos suggested the scene could take place), and the gauntlet could either be removed or replaced with an oven glove, or something. Markus and McFeely halfheartedly suggested Thanos could be donning a "practice gauntlet" in Avengers: Age of Ultron - at the very least, this could be made more obvious.

Captain Marvel - Adding A Tony Stark Explanation

Brie Larson as Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel

MCU post-credits scenes almost always enhance whatever film has just been watched or build excitement for the installment coming up next. Captain Marvel's does exactly the opposite by muddying the waters. Carol Danvers' origin story sits precariously between Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame after the former used its own post-credits to tease her arrival via Nick Fury's pager. Full-gear Danvers lands to find a sullen atmosphere at Avengers HQ, and demands to know what happened to her cat-shy SHIELD pal. In Avengers: Endgame, however, Captain Marvel appears to rescue Tony Stark and Nebula, then whisks them back home with no obvious connection to the post-credits scene from her solo movie.

Although not spelled out, it seems Danvers arrived on Earth, met the Avengers, and was asked to go give Stark a tow ride to Earth. This would be much clearer if Captain Marvel's post-credits offered some indication of how the hero knew Iron Man and his bald blue companion were stranded. Obviously, assembling the likes of Brie Larson, Scarlett Johansson and Robert Downey Jr to reshoot extra Avengers: Endgame scenes isn't going to happen, but a few lines of dialogue or a crackling message over the radio might be enough to smooth the continuity between movies - and would be a lot more useful than painting some happy little trees into WandaVision.

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