10 Marvel post credit scenes that never went anywhere

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has made post-credit scenes a trademark storytelling device, transforming quick moments after the credits into portals to potential films, surprise appearances, and ambitious new directions. And though a lot of these scenes have paid off (Thanos's introduction in The Avengers or Captain Marvel's pager beep in Infinity War), not each one has materialised into something significant. Indeed, some have gone totally dark.

Whether it's the foreboding of a character's transformation into a future villain, the introduction of major comic book players, or cryptic setups without payoffs, a number of post-credit scenes have been left hanging in the vast web of Marvel Universe. Were they abandoned, intentionally set aside, or merely eclipsed by larger multiverse tales? As fans continue to assemble Marvel's sprawling continuity, these unsolved, potential shoot-offs represent lost opportunities or postponed payoffs that might never materialize.

In this piece, we take a look at 10 Marvel post-credits scenes that got us hyped but ultimately led to nothing, leaving us to wonder what their materialization into something concrete could have meant for the ever-expanding MCU.

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Marvel post credit scenes that never went anywhere

1) Mordo’s Dark Path That Never Got Explored

Mordo's dark turn was among the most compelling post-credits teases in early Phase 3. Having assisted Strange in defeating Dormammu, he turns dark and attacks other sorcerers. His ominous proclamation "Too many sorcerers" hinted at an anti-magic campaign ahead. Nevertheless, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2020) hardly referred his absence, opting to introduce a multiverse counterpart instead. With Marvel exploring alternate realities, it's uncertain whether this Mordo will reappear or be forgotten. Fans continue to wish for an actual reckoning between Dr. Strange and his former friend. After all, Chiwetel Ejiofor's powerful performance deserves better than a cliffhanger tease.

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2) Vulture and Scorpion’s Prison Scene That Led Nowhere

Michael Keaton's Vulture was among the MCU's most realistic villains and his prison run-in with Mac Gargan (Scorpion) set up a Sinister Six future. Gargan even inquires into Spider-Man's secret identity, setting up a greater grudge. But five years and a multiverse later, there is no indication of this thread being picked up. Keaton's Vulture was inexplicably transferred over into Sony's Morbius (2022), further clouding continuity. As Tom Holland's Spider-Man reboots his life after No Way Home (2021), the MCU has seemingly abandoned this subplot. For those who missed street-level stakes, this forgotten showdown is one of Marvel's greatest missed opportunities.

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3) Adam Warlock’s Delayed Debut After Years of Teasing

The Sovereigns' creation of Adam Warlock teased of great promise, particularly to comic book enthusiasts who were aware of the character's cosmic significance. The set-up seemed to be a precursor to Infinity War (2018), but Warlock never appeared in the entire series. It wasn't until Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in 2023 that he finally appeared on screen, played by Will Poulter, although his comedic spin and late arrival felt anticlimactic for a character hyped as a game-changer. With the Guardians' adventure wrapped up (for the time being), Warlock's fate hangs in the air. Was his arrival a payoff or an extended misfire? The six-year wait didn't exactly play in Marvel's favor.

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4) Starfox and Pip’s Surprise Entrance That Went Cold

When Harry Styles's surprise cameo as Eros (Starfox) came with CGI sidekick Pip the Troll, fans were shocked and curious. With Thanos' brother in the scene, everyone's hopes rose for galactic shake-ups. But since that cameo back in 2021, Marvel has said nothing. No sightings, no sightings, not even a rumor in Phase 5 reveals. Some theorize Eternals' tepid reception put their story on hold. While Styles' appearance made headlines, it now threatens to turn into a celebrity cameo instead of an opportunity of further world-building. For all its pomp, the scene increasingly reads as a detour, one without any direction forward, even though it has great possibilities.

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5) Sterns Becomes The Leader, Then Disappears for Over a Decade

In The Incredible Hulk (2008), Dr. Samuel Sterns starts to mutate after being exposed to Bruce Banner's blood, foreshadowing his becoming "The Leader" a Marvel comic book genius-level villain. The scene hinted at a future battle of wits, not mere brawn. But rather than exploring his character further, Marvel left Sterns in the background for over 15 years. He wasn't even mentioned in She-Hulk, Infinity War (2018), or even Endgame (2019). It was only recently that he confirmed his return for Captain America: Brave New World in 2025. To many fans, the wait made a thrilling teaser an almost forgotten memory.

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6) Mysterio’s Legacy Left in the Shadows (Spider-Man: Far From Home, 2019)

Quentin Beck aka Mysterio's death which revealed Spider-Man's identity behind the mask sparked a chaotic sequence of events that No Way Home (2021) solved by erasing Peter Parker from everyone's memory. But the post-credits implications of Mysterio's files and the leftover drones are left untouched. Did nobody inherit his tech? Were his followers disassembled? It's an interesting omission in a universe where Stark tech becomes dangerous when in the wrong hands. With Peter beginning anew and with no reference to the aftermath, it was almost as if Marvel lost an opportunity to capitalize on Beck's legacy of deception. His departure was epic but the consequences vanished into nothingness.

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7) The Collector’s Plan That Never Took Shape

When Volstagg and Sif give the Aether (Reality Stone) to flamboyant Collector, it's a clue for something big on the horizon an intergalactic game of power. Although Collector returns in Guardians of the Galaxy, this particular plot why the Aether was split apart and where he fits into this never plays out in an important way. The Collector ends up being the comic relief for Infinity War, and we never really delve into his motives or ultimate goal. Considering Benicio del Toro's presence, it is an odd decision to dial him back to a footnote. The scene heightened the stakes without cashing them in. Yet another MCU breadcrumb leading somewhere uninteresting.

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8) Shang-Chi’s Ten Rings Mystery Still Left Hanging

The post-credits scene hinted at something enormous: Wong, Bruce Banner, and Captain Marvel studying the Ten Rings ancient, alien, and emitting an otherworldly beacon. The scene set Shang-Chi up as a new linchpin in the MCU. Four years on, however, there is no mention of the beacon, nor progress on the Ten Rings' origins. With Shang-Chi 2 still not confirmed and Phase 5 filled with multiversal strands, this scene now seems like a blinding promise left on hold. Where was the call going? Who's calling? We still have no idea and audiences are beginning to forget they were ever ever supposed to give a care.

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9) Blade’s Voice Cameo That Vanished Into Silence

As Dane Whitman gets close to the accursed Ebony Blade, an off-screen voice utters, "Are you sure you're ready for that, Mr. Whitman?" That voice? Mahershala Ali's Blade. This voice-only cameo created huge buzz but nothing's transpired since. The Blade standalone film has had several delays, rewrites, and production issues. As for Whitman, no return in sight. Looking back, this tease in the Eternals (2021) reads more like a teaser trailer than a narrative connection. Marvel attempted something bold bringing two supernatural narratives together but without follow-through, it's just creepy words suspended in space.

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10) Grandmaster’s Cliffhanger Was Just a Joke (Thor: Ragnarok, 2017)

In the post-credit scene of Thor: Ragnarok (2017), the Grandmaster Jeff Goldblum in his eccentric finest is confronted by a horde of enraged revolutionaries. His comedic effort to spin the rebellion as a "tie" teed up a possible comeback. Rather than seeing it through, Marvel shortened his scheduled cameo in Thor: Love and Thunder (2022). Cut scenes later confirmed that he was supposed to kill himself off-screen, a saddening demise for such a gratifying character. While Loki or Valkyrie were abandoned, Grandmaster was left behind. A highlight of Sakaar's mayhem, his departure became a mere punchline rather than plot point, and fans were deprived of more Goldblum magic in the MCU.

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Even as Marvel has long been a master of long-form storytelling, not all of its threads receive the completion that are due. Such post-credits scenes once piqued the interest of fans, created hype, and sometimes delivered the introduction of A-list characters only to be left on the shelf forever. Whatever became of them was lost to changing plans, artistic shifts, or sheer size of the multiverse their existence. This serves to remind us that even in the MCU, all teases don't pay off. As fans, we’re left hoping some of these forgotten setups will find relevance again. Until then, they stand as intriguing snapshots of what might’ve been in a universe that never stops expanding or surprising.