While Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings introduced a new hero into the MCU without any prior cameos, Eternals looks to take up the ante by introducing a whole ensemble.
However, this team of heroes is far different from Shang-Chi or many of the Avengers fans have come to know since they're not humans but rather cosmic beings who have been on Earth for thousands of years.
Even though this film looks to bump out of the borders of the MCU, it will still play an integral role in the universe and the studio's Phase 4 story; and in the great Marvel tradition, will also offer post-credits scenes that - despite the film's early screenings - are still shrouded in secrecy.
Marvel Withheld Eternals Post-Credits Scenes?
Ahead of the film's premiere, director Chloé Zhao confirmed that Eternals would feature two post-credits scenes, teasing that they both are "equally as important in weight" and "have big surprises" in-store.
However, when Eternals was shown at press screenings on the day of the film's October 18 Hollywood premiere, reports indicated that the film's two post-credits scenes were withheld.
In response to this news, Herb Scribner from Deseret News posted a tweet that supposedly explains their absence:
"Source just told me: "The final credits aren’t ready yet."
Still, this may not be a total surprise for those who have been to Marvel screenings before. In replying to those on social media speculating about the absence of the post-credits scenes, Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn shared in a tweet that this is actually the norm:
"I worded this tweet poorly. What I mean is Marvel generally don’t show the post credits scenes at early screenings."
Is Eternals' Post-Credits Scenes Too Spoilery?
Marvel Studios hasn't confirmed why Eternals' post-credits weren't shown in press screenings, but it's worth noting that the MCU's latest film is also set to close out the Rome Film Festival on October 24, 2021, before debuting in theaters overseas on November 3. Meanwhile, the film's domestic release isn't until November 5.
Is it possible that Marvel fears that one too many debuts ahead of its wide release offers too many opportunities for spoilers?
Also, due to how many projects Marvel Studios has in the works coupled with COVID-19 delays and restrictions, it wouldn't be beyond the realm of possibility that the film's two post-credits scenes have yet to be completed and may still be in post-production.
Gunn's tweet is also interesting, as Marvel has been known to withhold post-credits scenes in the past. However, recent Marvel films like Shang-Chi and Black Widow have, in fact, included their post-credits scenes in press screenings; and Shang-Chi's scenes, in particular, were incredibly spoilery with huge implications for the MCU moving forward.
If Eternals continues to preview without any scenes after the credits have rolled, fans are sure to hear an explanation from Marvel Studios in the near future.
Eternals is set to release in theaters on November 5, 2021.
