When it was announced a few years ago that Marvel Studios would be doing a movie based on the Eternals, I was extremely excited to see these amazing characters FINALLY brought to life. But when they announced that Kit Harington would be playing Dane Whitman aka Black Knight in the film, that’s what really got me hyped up. Having Whitman make his MCU debut in this soon to be blockbuster, is beyond exciting. Created in 1966 by writer Roy Thomas, the Black Knight is one of Marvel’s most obscure characters and rather unique at the same time, and he happens to be one of my most favorite characters in all of comics.
Whitman is a descendant of the original Black Knight from Arthurian legend. He inherited the Black Knight mantle from his uncle, who was a supervillain and a member of the Masters of Evil. Whitman’s Black Knight joined the Masters of Evil to try to take them down from within, a move that eventually got the Avengers to admire him, which he subsequently joined once his work was complete. He also, most notably, assisted the Avengers in taking down Kang the Conqueror, who was first introduced into the MCU in Loki played by Jonathan Majors. Majors is also set to reprise the role in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and will be the next main villain of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Image via: Marvel Studios
Though Whitman is human, in the comics he falls in love with the Eternal Sersi, the lead character in Eternals, who will be played by Gemma Chan. Whitman becomes Sersi’s “Gann Josin,” which is a fancy term for soulmate. But it’s more than just a ceremonial thing like marriage, their relationship comes with a sort of telepathic union between the two. Whitman has no natural powers of his own, but gets some amazing abilities from certain possessions and even his relationships. For example, when he’s bonded to Sersi, he receives a minor boost to his speed, strength and other traits.
He’s an expert fighter and swordsman, and wields a magic sword called the Ebony Blade which was forged by Merlin, and gives him immunity to magic… and even to death. The Ebony Blade can also cut through almost anything, besides adamantium (the indestructible metal lacing Wolverine’s bones.)
One of the most intriguing reasons about the inclusion of Black Knight is that his origins are based in Arthurian legend. The original Black Knight was Sir Percy of Scandia, who in Marvel Comics was part of King Arthur’s court in the 6th century, and the Ebony Blade was given to him by Merlin himself. Whitman’s Black Knight rides a winged horse named Strider which was given to him by the Lady of the Lake (Nimue.) So far, the MCU hasn’t established whether or not King Arthur actually existed in this world, but hey, Thor ended up being real, and Zeus will be played by Russell Crowe in Thor: Love and Thunder, so anything’s possible.
Image via: Nerdist
Whitman started out as a scientist, specializing in physics, he is proficient in a wide array of advanced sciences and technologies, including genetic and mechanical engineering; and continues to approach things from a scientific perspective more often than not, despite his ties to the world of magic. Him and Doctor Strange have been close allies before in the comics, as their belief in science, while also obtaining magic, is both of their driving forces in being a hero. Another magical trait to Whitman, is that he wears a necklace that can contain his armor, sword, and shield and reappear whenever he says “Avalon.”
Whitman’s Ebony Blade happens to be my favorite weapon in all of Marvel Comics. The blade is indestructible, and causes whoever wields it to be essentially immortal as they don’t age whenever it’s in their possession and can cut through almost anything. It also turns red whenever it kills someone, and in theory it’s also been said that it can absorb the souls of those it kills. A contributing factor into why the wielder is immortal whenever they’re in possession of the blade. It also happens to obtain a curse that slowly causes the user to be subdued by a bloodlust and murderous rage that makes them crave bloodshed.
Image via: ComicBook
I strongly believe that Whitman’s Black Knight will be the next major superhero in the MCU. The line in the Eternals trailer when the characters are eating together and talking about, “who could be the next leader of the Avengers,” to me is a means of mirroring what’s to come. Whitman obtains the character and heart to be a leader, he clearly has the abilities, but he’s got a lot of Steve Rogers in him. He’s about doing things by the book, and which is why his blade’s curse is such a fascinating arch for Whitman, one that could play out in a neat way in the MCU. He’s a character that fans will love, will rally behind, and will want to see more of as soon as possible!
Image via: BuzzFeed
While speaking at ACE Comic Con back in 2019, Harington spoke about his excitement to play Dane Whitman, and about joining the MCU, and also why he’s terrified:
"A lot of people who go into something like the MCU, they haven't had experience of, maybe, a franchise that big. I've lived with [Game of] Thrones for ten years, I've known a big franchise and something that's created a world and it has a huge fan base. So for both reasons, I'm excited and terrified. I know the responsibility of actors who came into Thrones knowing that they're playing a beloved character and that they had a responsibility to fans and to people to do something with that character. And for me, looking at this new universe, I'm prepared because I've been part of a universe... but I also have been part of a universe, so I am terrified."
Harington also addressed his character of Dane Whitman, explaining why he's excited to play this character:
"Coming here, I can see just how passionate people are about this world. This is the first time I've met people on that level about Marvel and I'm just thrilled. It's a whole new chapter and a whole new character to start thinking about. Without saying too much at all, on the surface, [Black Knight] can look like Jon Snow in the comics but there is actually a lot to be done that is different."
Harington also offered another tease, possibly revealing that his character will indeed become the Black Knight in Eternals:
"Now I'm going with a Marvel movie. I'm going on to play a superhero, which is cool. I don't know what I can say about it, I'm scared to sort of even mention it. I'm trying to choose things as far away from Jon Snow as possible, but I'm playing a superhero and he's got a sword."
You can, hopefully, see Eternals November 5, only in theaters!