This article contains spoilers for Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Spider-Man: No Way Home was an absolute treat for Marvel fans, and the surprises just kept on coming during the credits with two teases.
Of course, it wasn’t a surprise that we had credits scenes given that this is a Marvel film, but what they teased was rather exciting… especially since the post-credits footage was something a little different.
So, let’s dive into them. Warning: spoilers lie ahead.
Mid-Credits Scene
Sony Pictures
The mid-credits scene catches up with Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock and his symbiote pal Venom, chilling in a bar in Mexico where the bartender is explaining to the duo who Iron Man and Thanos are.
Those who have seen this year’s Venom: Let There Be Carnage will realise that this connects to the post-credit scene for that movie, which saw Eddie and Venom be transported to another universe, the one where Tom Holland is Peter Parker/Spider-Man.
Now we learn that this was a result of Doctor Strange’s broken spell, with the events of Venom’s post-credits scene taking place at the same time as No Way Home.
Sony Pictures
It appears that just like Alfred Molina’s Doc Ock, Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin and company, Eddie was also dragged into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
However, it’s currently unclear why this is the case, considering that unlike these other villains Eddie doesn’t know Peter Parker is Spider-Man, something Doctor Strange says in No Way Home is the key knowledge needed to be pulled in by the broken spell.
Whilst Eddie isn’t aware of a Peter Parker though, maybe Venom does as he has stated before that he has “80 billion light-years of hive knowledge across universes” – show off.
It’s highly probable then that Venom was pulled into this universe, with Eddie coming along for the ride given their close bond.
Sony Pictures
The mid-credits scene then dashed hopes of seeing more of Hardy’s Venom/Brock in the MCU as just like the other beings from alternative universes in No Way Home, the duo disappeared as Doctor Strange cast a new spell.
What’s left though is a tiny splodge of Venom’s symbiote teasing that the popular character could soon pop up in a future Spider-Man movie, just not with Hardy in the role.
There is a slim chance Hardy’s Venom may one day take on Holland’s Spider-Man as we know that more multiversal shenanigans are coming our way in the MCU, but it’s likely that Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios want to keep the MCU separate to the Venom movies.
Instead it’s more probable that Holland’s web-slinger will fight off against a different Venom in the MCU. Maybe this will happen in one of the future films producer Amy Pascal has been teasing? We will have to wait and see.
Post-Credits Scene
Sony Pictures
Given the post-credits sting of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, many people expected that one of No Way Home’s credits scenes would be related to the symbiote.
It was also a safe bet that the other would set up events for the upcoming movie Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness, but no one saw a full teaser trailer coming.
The sizzle reel is the first footage we have seen for the highly anticipated sequel, which is directed by Sam Raimi, who helmed the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man movies.
Marvel Studios
There’s a lot to unpack as the teaser sets up the fact that Doctor Strange’s meddling in No Way Home will have lingering consequences for both him and the MCU.
We reunite with Baron Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) from the first Doctor Strange movie, who warns that Stephen’s actions will not go “unpunished”. Our bet is that the other sorcerers won’t be too impressed either.
The footage then cuts to Rachel McAdams’ Dr Christine Palmer, a fellow returning character from the first film, seen here in a wedding dress, potentially marrying Stephen.
Marvel Studios
Then the moment we were all waiting for – an appearance from Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch following the events of WandaVision. It was already common knowledge Wanda would play a key role in Multiverse Of Madness, but it’s still exciting to see her in the teaser.
Strange assures Wanda that he doesn’t want to discuss Westview, instead asking Wanda for her help in dealing with a multiversal threat.
The trailer then unleashes a fast-paced montage of other snippets from the movie, which gives us brief glimpses at newcomer Xochitl Gomez’s America Chavez (a universe-hopping hero from the comics) and tentacled villain Shuma-Gorath (who is likely to cause some trouble in the film).
Marvel Studios
A bombshell revelation is waiting for us right at the end though as Mordo tells Strange: “The greatest threat to our universe is you.”
An evil looking Doctor Strange is then revealed – Strange Supreme. Those who watched the animated series What If…? will have met the antagonist before, although it’s currently unclear whether this Strange Supreme is the same one from that show.
It’s likely that it is the same version of the character though, so now is the time to catch up on the series if you are yet to watch it.
There’s plenty of time too given that Multiverse Of Madness isn’t expected to debut in cinemas until May 2022. Based on what we saw from the sizzle reel, it’s set to be something special.
Spider-Man: No Way Home is out now exclusively in cinemas.
