Marvel’s Phase 5 Ending: A Major Post-Credits Mistake That Could Hurt The MCU

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In simpler terms, Ironheart (Marvel Studios‘ last project in Phase 5) made the same mistake that the MCU has frequently in its post-credit scenes since Phase 1 – an oversight that could negatively impact the franchise’s future. Post-credit scenes have been a defining feature of the MCU, used to launch new projects and narratives. Often, new characters or stories are introduced during these post-credits sequences. However, there’s been a recurring issue with this approach due to the multitude of ongoing MCU projects, leading to unresolved storylines for extended periods.

In some instances, these extra scenes at the end of movies or Disney+ series are meant to be entertaining (for example, the Iron Man 3 stinger with Tony Stark and Bruce Banner, or The Avengers’ shawarma scene). However, more often than not, they serve to hint at what might come next. The issue remains that many of these storylines don’t get a proper conclusion. Despite Thunderbolts (The New Avengers) breaking new ground by including a scene straight from Avengers: Endgame, the lack of resolution in post-credits scenes across the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to be a significant problem, as evidenced by the latest project, Ironheart.

In simpler terms, Ironheart followed the Marvel Cinematic Universe trend of teasing future projects with a long wait time by introducing a new project still far from release. After being defeated by Riri Williams, Parker Robbins sought out Zelma Stanton for help in finding powerful magic or someone similar to Doctor Strange or Wong, suggesting he needs assistance akin to the Sorcerer Supreme to regain his powers.

In the interaction between Zelma and Parker, there seems to be a hint at initiating a venture reminiscent of “Strange Academy,” potentially admitting the ex-villain into the student body of Kamar-Taj. Yet, this post-credit sequence suggests a project that hasn’t yet begun production or active development, which has been a recurring issue with many post-credit scenes in more contemporary productions.

Previously, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has taken similar steps on various occasions, as demonstrated by multiple post-credit scenes from Phases 4 and 5.

The Ironheart series centers around Riri Williams, a brilliant character who finds herself caught up with a villain utilizing magical powers, challenging her intellect. Dominique Thorne portrays the title character, Anthony Ramos plays Parker Robbins, Regan Aliyah is Zelma Stanton, Sacha Baron Cohen takes on Mephisto, Alden Ehrenreich stars as Zeke Stane, and Lyric Ross acts as Natalie Washington in this production.

The Most Recent MCU Post-Credits Scenes That Have a Similar Setup Problem

Shang-Chi 

The post-credit scene from “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” hinted at Xu Xialing reconstructing the Ten Rings organization, paving the way for the anticipated “Ten Rings” project by director Destin Daniel Cretton. However, it appears that this project is still not ready to launch as Cretton has been occupied with the production of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” delaying its release for nearly four years.

Eternals

The ending scene of Eternals leaves an intriguing question mark regarding Dane Whitman’s potential wielding of the Ebony Blade, hinted by Mahershala Ali’s voice as Blade in the background. His inclusion in the scene strongly implies a possible setup for the standalone Blade movie, but its development has been stalled for some time, and there is currently no news on when it will come out.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

From a film fan’s perspective, I can’t help but be intrigued by the enigmatic appearance of Clea (played by Charlize Theron) in the mid-credits scene of “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” Since then, she has been absent from any subsequent project, yet her introduction seems to hint at a setup for an as-yet unconfirmed “Doctor Strange 3” or perhaps even a collaboration with Stephen Strange in the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday,” if the rumors are to be believed.

Thor: Love and Thunder

In the post-credits scene of “Thor: Love and Thunder,” Hercules (played by Brett Goldstein) was introduced in a manner that hints at an upcoming confrontation with Thor in another Marvel project. A recent gossip suggests a possible spinoff focusing on Hercules may appear sooner, but so far, no formal announcement has been released by Marvel Studios.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Star-Lord departed for Earth to reside with his grandfather. A brief scene after the credits hinted at his future appearance, yet no official news has been announced. Nevertheless, many speculate that he might reappear in the eagerly awaited Avengers: Doomsday (Take a look at the reported and confirmed cast of Avengers: Doomsday).

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2025-07-17 08:35