Marvel’s Eternals Exit Leaves Black Knight’s Story in Limbo

With the current chapter of Marvel ’s cinematic universe underway, the Eternals have all but vanished from the spotlight. This absence has left several intriguing characters on the sidelines, none more so than Dane Whitman, also known as Black Knight. Portrayed by Kit Harington, Whitman was poised to become a standout figure, yet his journey seems to have ended before it truly began.

Black Knight’s Untold Legacy in Marvel Comics

Fans of the comics were left disappointed when Harington’s take on Black Knight never got the chance to shine. While the film hinted at his origins, the depth of his backstory was largely untouched. In the comics, Whitman hails from a long line of knights, tracing his ancestry back to Sir Percy of Scandia in Camelot. This lineage ties him to Marvel’s Arthurian legends and explains his connection to the Eternals, who have influenced humanity for centuries.

Whitman is actually the third character to bear the Black Knight name, inheriting it from his uncle, Nathan Garrett—a former villain. On his deathbed, Garrett urged Whitman to redeem their family ’s legacy by using the title for good. Unlike his superpowered allies, Whitman relies on his mastery of swordsmanship and martial arts, as well as his sharp scientific mind. His signature weapon, the Ebony Blade, is a mystical sword capable of cutting through nearly anything, deflecting energy, and absorbing magic. However, the blade’s curse threatens to corrupt its wielder if used for violence. Whitman also dons enchanted armor crafted by elves from a forgotten era.

Missed Opportunities and Shifting Focus

Despite the potential for a compelling arc, Marvel’s decision to move away from the Eternals has left Whitman’s story unresolved. Harington, who had already faced the cancellation of a Jon Snow spin-off, lost another promising role. The studio’s choice to sideline these characters, even as late as 2026, has closed the door on what could have been a fresh direction for the franchise.

The Eternals’ absence is especially notable given the unique vision director Chloé Zhao brought to the film. The pandemic certainly played a role in the movie ’s reception, but the real setback came when Marvel chose not to expand on Zhao’s narrative. Box office numbers seemed to dictate the studio’s next steps, overshadowing the film’s creative ambitions.

Fan Reactions and the Eternals’ Legacy

Audience feedback was mixed, with many viewers noting that the film broke away from the usual Marvel formula. While some critics were less than enthusiastic, others saw the Eternals as a bold experiment that deserved more time to develop. The cast, including Kumail Nanjiani, has expressed pride in their work, suggesting that the film’s shortcomings weren’t due to a lack of effort or vision.

For those interested, here’s a quick look at the film’s key details: Directed by Chloé Zhao, the cast features Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, and Kumail Nanjiani. The movie holds a 47% critics score and a 77% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with a global box office take of $402 million. Eternals is currently available to stream on Disney+ in the US.