How Kit Harrington’s Eternal Role Is Important for Marvel Phase 4

Whether or not the character of Dane Whitman, played by Kit Harrington, would be a key one in Eternals is a question yet to be

By Soniya Hinduja
September 14,2021
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Whether or not the character of Dane Whitman, played by Kit Harrington, would be a key one in Eternals is a question yet to be answered, but the Black Knight is a significant character for MCU as we move forward into Phase 4.

Eternals features Kit Harrington as Dane Whitman and it’s safe to say that the actor would prove to be a fit investment into Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase 4. Chloé Zhao is making her Marvel debut and she’s doing it with grandeur. Eternals has one of the biggest casts Marvel has brought together till date. Sersi and Ikaris are the two leads played by Gemma Chan and Richard Madden, supported by the rest of the Eternals’ team consisting of Angelina Jolie, Kumail Nanjiani, Salma Hayek, and Brian Tyree Henry with many more. However, the name that intrigues us the most is Kit Harrington, fondly known as Jon Snow from Game of Thrones. 

Kit Harrington as Dane Whitman 

Kit Harrington Black Knight

While Eternals has quite the ensemble, it is the involvement of Kit Harington that has the viewers most thrilled about. Harrington, who was last seen in an episode of Modern Love Season 2 on Amazon Prime, will now be seen playing the role of Dane Whitman, aka Black Knight. Although the actor is nowhere to be seen throughout the film promotions, the posters and trailers have his name featured all over. As to the extent of Black Knight’s character in Eternals, we are quite unsure of how it pans out, since all we have seen are a few momentary and brief looks. However, what we know for sure is that Dane Whitman will be seen sharing a romantic relationship with the lead Sersi, played by Gemma Chan. So whether or not Whitman will ever dress up and play Black Knight is still ambiguous. 

Regardless of Harrington’s status in Eternals, there is not reason to not believe that the character will have a great significance in Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Harrington has a good reputation in the industry and is adored by fans and it would only make sense that this addition by Marvel is here to stay. Besides, Dane Whitman has an influential role in the original comic book series. Whitman’s character of Black Knight is known to have been a member of MI-13, a team assembled by Captain Britain to fight off supernatural and mystical threats. Even if we do not see him suit up as the Black Knight or if Whitman passes on fighting the Deviants in Eternals, it is likely probable to see him as a vital member of various squads as Phase 4 progresses. 

Dane Whitman’s Original Comic Book Arc And Potential MCU Arc

Black Knight
Black Knight

While Eternals could put off teasing Dane as the Black Knight, his experience with the all powerful Eternals and Deviants might be what draws him towards embracing the character. Be it as a prerequisite or by accident, in order to line up with his story in the comics, we might see Whitman come across the Ebony Blade sword, which in turn would lead him to his lineage and the curse that binds him to the sword.

Marvel’s original Black Knight Nathan Garret was an Avengers villain, and in the comics, Dane Whitman was his nephew. After obtaining the Ebony Blade and learning of its powers and taking up on the role of Black Knight, he chooses to put on the good face and turn a hero and gives up his heritage as a villain. When he helps the Avengers fight Kang the Conqueror, they take him in as he proves to have truly joined forces. Kang’s addition to the MCU and Loki’s introduction to He Who Remains, a variant of Kang, has raised the potential for Kit Harrington’s Black Knight. It will not be long before we see Marvel’s fresh hero fight the time traveling conqueror. 

 

The Eternals
The Eternals

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is now widening in its magical and supernatural impressions and establishing Harrington’s Black Knight with Eternals at this time is only suitable. Black Knight’s Ebony Blade possesses magical powers which means there is a slight chance we could see Harrington accompany Doctor Strange in steer clear of any possible threat to the universe in his next instalment Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

If that happens, Marvel could be in for creating a Defenders team. Forging the story ahead, as the Black Knight spends more time in another universe, it could take him closer to becoming the leader of UltraForce. In the comic book series, Dane Whitman is also seen in Secret Invasion and chances are Kit Harrington could make an appearance there too.

Trailers and clips of Marvel’s Eternals have succeeded in keeping Whitman’s role and the extent of it a hush-hush, but fans are still rooting for Kit Harrington to be a big part to the future of MCU Phase 4.