Does ‘Dark Phoenix’ Have a Post Credits Scene or What?

The new X-Men movie out this weekend — Dark Phoenix — is unique for two reasons; it’s the second big screen adaptation of the popular 1982 Marvel comic book “Dark Phoenix” arc, and it’s also, somewhat abruptly, the last of the contemporary X-Men movies distributed by Fox. Because Disney merged with Fox earlier this year, the X-Men are now the intellectual property of a different studio, meaning when they show up in movies again, they will be part of the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. What does any of this have to do with a post-credits scene? Well, had the merger not happened, you can imagine Dark Phoenix setting up a sequel in a post-credits scene (X-Men: Days of Future Past had a post-credits scene that set up X-Men: Apocalypse). But because this is the end of the road for these X-Men, here’s what’s up with the post-credits scene.

There’s isn’t one. Without spoiling the ending of the movie (let’s just say you’re either going to love it or hate it) the last X-Men movie in this saga, Dark Phoenix, does not have a post-credits scene teasing at a possible sequel.

Now, the ending of the film itself is open-ended enough that a direct sequel, could, possibly make sense. Though because Marvel will almost certainly reboot all the popular X-Men characters and cast new actors, this seems like the last time you’ll see Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, James McAvoy as Professor X, or Jennifer Lawerence as Mystique. The film does conclude the story for these X-Men, for the most part, and when the credits start rolling, just like with Avengers: Endgame, you really can head for the exit. Thought Dark Phoenix is certainly not as big of a deal as Endgame in everyone’s minds; the lack of a post-credits sequence makes it just as relevant as Endgame insofar as this movie feels like it has a real ending. (Rare among superhero movies!)

Then again, this may have not been the original intention. Had Disney and Fox not merged would writer-director Simon Kinberg have added a post-credits scene to Dark Phoenix? We’ll have to travel back in time using Kitty Pryde’s powers to find out.

Dark Phoenix is out everywhere this weekend.