At this point, it's hardly a spoiler to mention that Black Adam's mid-credits scene featured the long-awaited return of Henry Cavill's Superman (star Dwayne Johnson let the cat out of the bag before the movie hit theaters), but it's now come to light that the DC Comics adventure almost included a second stinger.
This next part does contain spoilers!
During the movie's final battle, Doctor Fate (Pierce Brosnan) sacrifices himself to save his Justice Society teammate Hawkman by confronting the demonic Sabbac. According to The Direct, a brief post-credits scene was filmed which would have teased the character's eventual return.
Apparently, the sequence took place "during the day in a sandy location. The opening shot slowly pans up from the ground to reveal Doctor Fate's helmet sitting atop the sand. A hand then comes into the frame to pick up The Helmet of Fate, although the scene quickly cuts to black before the identity of the mystery individual can be revealed."
Johnson has previously promised fans that they haven't seen the last of Doctor Fate in the DCU, but Kent Nelson's death did seem pretty definitive, so there's a decent chance this scene was hinting at another character taking up the mantle. Several heroes have worn the Helmet of Fate in the comics over the years, including Eric and Linda Strauss, Jared Stevens, and Hawkman's son Hector Hall.
Since the scene was actually shot, we'll hopefully see it on the upcoming Blu-ray release.
"From New Line Cinema, Dwayne Johnson stars in the action adventure Black Adam. The first-ever feature film to explore the story of the DC Super Hero comes to the big screen under the direction of Jaume Collet-Serra (“Jungle Cruise”). Nearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the ancient gods— and imprisoned just as quickly—Black Adam (Johnson) is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world."
Johnson stars alongside Aldis Hodge (City on a Hill, One Night in Miami) as Hawkman, Noah Centineo (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before) as Atom Smasher, Sarah Shahi (Sex/Life, Rush Hour 3) as Adrianna, Marwan Kenzari (Murder on the Orient Express, The Mummy) as Ishmael, Quintessa Swindell (Voyagers, Trinkets) as Cyclone, Bodhi Sabongui (A Million Little Things) as Amon, and Pierce Brosnan (the Mamma Mia! and James Bond franchises) as Dr. Fate.
Black Adam is now in theaters.