Aquaman 2’s credits scene is the final scene in the DC films universe

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom flows into theaters this weekend with the doubtful honor of being the final movie in the DC Extended Universe. And which means its final scene — its credits scene — is the final shot of Warner Bros. nice try and equal the Marvel Cinematic Universe with its personal pet superhero setting.

But it additionally implies that the typical use of a superhero film credits scene doesn’t apply right here. There aren’t any future franchise occasions for Lost Kingdom to level to. What’s a blockbuster to do?

If you’ve seen Lost Kingdom, you realize, and in the event you haven’t, perhaps you’re simply right here to rubberneck. But right here’s what it did.

[Ed. Note: This piece contains spoilers for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.]

Image: Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Comics

Lost Kingdom’s credits scene isn’t about something weighty, it’s only a name again to a gross-out gag from earlier in the movie. Orm (Patrick Wilson), the redeemed dangerous man from the first Aquaman, is having fun with his first surface-world hamburger when he spies a cockroach scurrying throughout the dock-side picnic desk.

Earlier in the film, his brother Aquaman (Jason Momoa) tricked him into pondering that stay cockroaches are an each day surface-world snack. So Orm grabs the roach, slaps it between the layers of his sandwich, and takes an enormous, joyful chew. Good evening, candy DCEU, might flights of angels sing thee to thy relaxation.

But right here I need to implore my fellow human beings: We completely musn’t make this a metaphor. No matter how resonant, absurd, or humorous the credits scene on Lost Kingdom, we should resist.

Orm’s burger is, inevitably, a roachy Rorschach take a look at. The insect could be no matter you didn’t like about the DCEU, and Orm fortunately consuming it is the followers you don’t like lapping it up. Or, Orm is the executives whose meddling ruined the franchise fortunately selecting their comeuppance (the roach), which is the collapse of the entire factor (an truthfully very appetizing burger). Or perhaps, the burger is the Snyder Cut, someway, and Orm is Joss Whedon? I’m positive someone might flesh out that video essay.

But we now have to attract a line in the sand, like Topo the octopus scurrying away from the blood-drinking Deserters and again to the security of deep water. We need to restrain ourselves, like Orm touching the Black Trident. We have to flee, like the fish in the sea, in a position to say that in the finish, at the finish of an period, we didn’t take the bait.