Warning: major spoilers ahead for The Marvels and the movie’s post-credit scene.
As with any film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Marvels, which stars a trio of superpowered characters as its leads, comes with lofty expectations.
Fans will be able to learn how and why the three characters meet and their lives get linked now that the film’s release date in cinemas in the UK, US, and across the world has arrived.
While Rotten Tomatoes ratings have been divided, many MCU fans have been gushing about the new adventure and the team-up of Captain Marvel, or Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), WandaVision’s Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), and Ms Marvel herself, Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani).
From Flerken infants unleashing cosmic mayhem in space to the heroes attempting to face off against the villain Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton) while continually swapping locations mid-fight, there are plenty of exciting and surprising events in the film that will leave jaws on the floor.
One of the biggest surprises, which elicited shrieks and gasps during the UK preview showing in London’s Leicester Square, came during the post-credits sequence.
*** If you haven’t seen it already and don’t wish for huge implications for the MCU to be spoiled for you, stop reading now! We’ve warned you! ***
The Marvels post-credits scene explained
The wicked Kree warrior blows out a hole in space in the last battle between the Marvels and Dar-Benn, leading into a reality in another realm.
After Dar-Benn’s death, the three find out how to shut the hole, with Carol and Kamala utilising their combined abilities to energise Monica, who becomes enveloped by a white glow, much like her Marvel comics superhero identity Photon.
Monica is able to plug the opening from the other side, trapping her in the alternate universe.
Monica awakens in what appears to be a hospital bed, with tubes hooked to her hands, in the post-credits sequence.
Monica turns over to find her mother seated in the chair next her, in a clear comparison to WandaVision, when she got un-dusted in a hospital ward where she had been keeping her mother Maria Rambeau (Lashana Lynch) company.
Of course, this isn’t the Maria she remembered as her own mother. This is a younger Maria, complete with a superhero suit.
However, Monica is overcome with sorrow upon seeing Maria, breaking into tears and expressing Maria how much she missed her, after her mother perished during the Blip while she was still absent.
Maria isn’t the only one who arrives in the room; Beast from the X-Men is also present.
For a long time, Marvel Studios CEO Kevin Feige has teased the X-Men’s arrival in the MCU… and now it’s finally here!
Sir Patrick Stewart did reprise his role as Professor X in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness last year, although his appearance was brief.
We also know that Hugh Jackman will reprise his role as Wolverine in Deadpool 3, which will be a part of the MCU.
However, the appearance of Beast – portrayed once more by Kelsey Grammer, who previously appeared as Dr Hank McCoy in the 2006 film X-Men: The Last Stand – represents a significant turning point.
We interpret Beast’s appearance as a strong indication that additional X-Men will appear in the MCU, whether played by original film series stars or new cast members.
The theme song from the animated X-Men TV series from the 1990s has been stuck in our minds.
The Marvels is released in cinemas from Friday November 10.