Fans of Marvel franchise flicks have two great things to look for: Stan Lee’s inevitable cameo and the possibility of a special post-credits ‘secret’ ending that foreshadows things to come. Or in the case of Marvel’s more recent movies, helps one franchise build on one another as they lead up to the inevitable Avengers release in 2012.
Back in 2008, Marvel’s The Incredible Hulk intro’d Tony Stark and weaved him into the movie rather than doing a special ending scene. “I hear you have an unusual problem,” Tony states matter-of-factly, referencing the Hulk. “You should talk,” General ”Thunderbolt’ Ross retorts. And the connections between these Marvel movies began to unfold. With 2008′s Iron Man staying until the end of the credit sequence treated theater-goers to a special scene introducing Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury who goes on to invite Tony Stark to join S.H.I.E.L.D. and to discuss the ‘Avenger’ initiative.
And now, 2010′s Iron Man 2 drops perhaps the most massive clue to the upcoming ‘Avengers’ flick thus far.
*** Warning: Spoilers ahead. Do not click through if you do not wish to be spoiled. ***
I’m not going to bother placing a shaky flip cam video from YouTube.com, because these sort of spoiler videos are typically removed very quickly. Instead, I’ll describe the scene for you.
We begin with a black car speeding across the desert, eventually pulling up to the camera revealing its New Mexico license plate.
Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg), who has an expanded role in Iron Man 2 steps out of the car.
He looks out over a massive crater, surrounded by various vehicles.
“Sir, we’ve found it,” he says carefully into his phone.
The camera pans out to reveal what’s at the center of the crater.
It’s…
Mjolnir, Thor’s hammer!

So, there you have it! Be sure to elaborate on how much you now hate me for spoiling this special moment in the comments!
