Marvel Boss Kevin Feige Made It Clear Kit Harington Had a Future in the MCU Years Before ‘Eternals’

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

• Kit Harington’s Dane Whitman was set up as the Black Knight in the second post-credits scene of Eternals.
• Before the Game of Thrones star made his debut, Kevin Feige had made it clear he had a future in the MCU.
• Just who is Kit Harington’s Black Knight?

Marvel introduced Kit Harington’s character Dane Whitman in Eternals, as part of a large ensemble cast. But in the film’s second post-credits scene, they set up Whitman as the Black Knight. This was an indication that it’s just the beginning of the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Since Marvel boss Kevin Feige made it clear years ago that Harington had a future in the MCU.

Dane Whitman finds the Ebony Blade in Marvel’s ‘Eternals’

The second post-credits scene in Eternals featured Whitman visiting a family member’s home where there is an old box. When he finds the box, there’s a plaque on it that reads “death is my reward.”  Obviously, this wasn’t a box filled with family memories and keepsakes.

When Whitman opens the box, he finds a magical-looking black sword. Which fans immediately recognized as the Ebony Blade. While Whitman looks at the sword, there’s a voice that says “sure you’re ready for that Mr. Whitman?” before the scene ends. That voice was Mahershala Ali, who’s been cast as half-vampire vampire killer Blade.

Before ‘Eternals,’ Marvel boss Kevin Feige said Kit Harington had a future in the MCU

Harington’s Marvel casting announcement was made at the D23 Expo way back in the summer of 2019. At the time, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige made it clear that Harington had a future in the MCU.

“He’s a really amazing actor, and this part came up in the Eternals film that we’re doing. We were so happy when he agreed to join, and it is a part that could perhaps grow into something else in the future,” Feige said, per Cinema Blend.

Marvel told Kit Harington that this ‘could be a continuation’

Harington has also made a few comments about his future in the MCU. According to Newsweek, the Game of Thrones alum said that Marvel hinted he would appear as the Black Knight in other projects.

“I know at the end of the movie we see him find his sword. So we assume that’s going to come into play. As far as the future goes, [Marvel said] to me, this could be a continuation. That’s all I needed to hear,” Harington said.

Kevin Feige contacted Kit Harington years before ‘Eternals’

Harington also revealed that Feige wanted him in the MCU for years. The actor had a meeting with the Marvel boss “a couple of years prior to getting the call” about the part of Dane Whitman.

“It was more a chat about [how] we’re starting this new phase and we might be interested in you [being] in it. That was a very nice meeting to have,” Harington said.

Who is the Black Knight in the MCU?

In the Marvel comics, Whitman becomes the Black Knight, a superhero who wields the Ebony Blade. A sword that is extremely powerful, yet cursed.

The Black Knight has been involved in a number of different storylines over the years. He’s associated with the Eternals because of his relationship with Sersei (Gemma Chan). He was also introduced as an Avenger when he joined Earth’s mightiest heroes in Avengers #71.

It’s not yet clear which book Marvel will be using as source material for the character. Or, if they will create a new MCU storyline. With Whitman finding the Ebony Blade and hearing Blade’s voice at the end of Eternals, it could mean Harington will show up in the upcoming Blade movie.

Some fans have theorized that the Black Knight and Blade could be part of the Midnight Sons. They are a team In the comics that Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) assembles because of their shared magical abilities. Will they appear in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness? Fans will have to wait and see.

Eternals is now playing on Disney+.