Spider-Man: Homecoming post-credits scene explained

**Warning: spoilers ahead for Homecoming**

Spider-Man: Homecoming has finally reached cinemas, solidifying the web-slinger's place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after debuting in Captain America: Civil War.

Of course, that’s not where Peter Parker’s role ends, far from it. According to Marvel head Kevin Feige, we can expect Spider-Man to kickstart everything following the fourth, as-yet-untitled Avengers film.

Already, seeds have been sown regarding what to expect thanks to Homecoming’s mid-credits scene. **Warning: spoilers ahead for Homecoming**

Following a quick flurry of credits, we see Michael Keaton’s Vulture in prison, speaking to another comic-book character, Mac Gargan — better known as The Scorpion — played by Michael Mando.

Gargan appears earlier in the film, during the boat scene, attempting to purchase Chitauri weaponry, but gets imprisoned after an encounter with Spider-Man and the FBI. During the mid-credits scene, the character, itching his Scorpion tattoo, asks whether Vulture knows who the superhero really is, saying there are “friends on the outside” wanting revenge.

Little more is shown than this small set-up, but having friends on the outside is relatively revealing. Could Gargan be referring to a team of villains, perhaps the Sinister Six?

Sony almost released a Sinister Six film following The Amazing Spider-Man, cancelling the picture after a negative response to that blockbuster. The team could finally make an appearance.

However, Scorpion was not a primary member of the Sinister Six, only appearing in alternative versions of the team, so another group of villains should probably be expected. (Main S6 line-up was Doctor Octopus, Electro, Kraven the Hunter, Mysterio, Sandman, and Vulture.)

Perhaps relevant is Gargan’s lack of fame; often Marvel villains are played by acclaimed actors, such as Keaton, Ben Kingsley, Robert Redford, Hugo Weaving and others. So expect a somewhat bigger baddie come the sequel.

Still, we should expect further street villains to be pursuing Spider-Man come the sequel to Homecoming — if Thanos hasn’t destroyed the world by then.