MCU Phase 4 subtly dropped a nuclear bomb into the Marvel Cinematic Universe when it introduced the Ebony Blade, Eternals' post-credits mystery McGuffin for the future of Kit Harington's Dane Whitman. The MCU Phase 4 introduced the Eternals, who not only changed the history of the MCU, but also came with Kit Harington's Dane Whitman — a potential new MCU Avenger. The Eternals team is formed by Sersi (Gemma Chan), Ikaris (Richard Madden), Sprite (Lia McHugh), Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani), Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry), Makkari (Lauren Ridloff), Druig (Barry Keoghan), Gilgamesh (Don Lee), Thena (Angelina Jolie), and Ajak (Salma Hayek), but the story mostly focused on Sersi and her relationship with Ikaris. Sersi is the most empathetic of Marvel's Eternals team, and at the beginning of the movie, she was in a relationship with history professor Dane Whitman.

Kit Harington's Dane Whitman — Marvel Comics' Black Knight — didn’t have much time on screen, appearing only during the first and last few minutes of Eternals. However, the second Eternals post-credits scene was all about him and his family's backstory. At the end of Eternals, Dane was about to share a big family secret with Sersi when she was abducted by Arishem and taken to an undisclosed location along with Phastos and Kingo. The post-credits scene went back to Dane as he opened an old chest that contains a sword. After some hesitation, Dane touched the blade and was startled when an off-screen character asked him if he was sure of what he was doing. The sword is the Ebony Blade, and it plays a big part in Dane Whitman’s comic book history and the MCU future.

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Where The Ebony Blade Will Reappear Next In The MCU

Kit Harington as Dane Whitman with Ebony Blade

A key question around the Eternals Dane Whitman credits scene is who was the voice that asked Dane if he's sure about taking up the Ebony Blade? The off-screen voice that speaks to Dane in Eternals' post-credits scene has been confirmed to be Mahershala Ali's Blade. Ali's solo MCU movie, Blade, which is coming in 2024, is the next most likely appearance by the Ebony Blade and Dane Whitman himself.

Given the Ebony Blade's magical origin, Dane could also reappear as soon as MCU Phase 5's Agatha: Coven of Chaos, as Agatha Harkness would be one of the few MCU characters who might actually know what the Ebony Blade is and how best to use it. Agatha somehow finding the legendary Ebony Blade and the potential new Black Knight could be the perfect test for whether the live-action version of the ancient witch will be a hero or a villain in the MCU. Meanwhile, there's also a possibility that Black Knight's MCU return could happen in the Secret Invasion show, since he participated in the comic book version of this story arc.

With the Multiverse Saga in full swing, it's safe to say that audiences won't need to wait long for the next appearance of Dane Whitman and the Ebony Blade — Eternals 2 doesn't even need to happen for the two to make their return. Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars, for instance, are bound to feature most if not the entire MCU roster, including Black Knight and the Ebony Blade. Though the weapon has only been teased through the post-credits scene of what many consider to be a negligible MCU Phase 4 movie, this doesn't change the fact that Eternals' credits scene introduced a likely new Avenger with the potential to rival the powers of MCU's Eternals. In fact, Dane Whitman/Black Knight is just as likely to become an Avenger as he is to become an Avengers-level threat, which is no surprise to those familiar with the Ebony Blade's Marvel Comics history.

The Ebony Blade's History & Black Knight Connection In Marvel Comics

Black Knight with the curse of the Ebony Blade.

The MCU has been exploring its cosmic side for years, and after MCU Phase 4 leaned more into the magical and supernatural side of the Marvel Universe, the stage is set for the Ebony Blade and Dane Whitman's Marvel movie/series appearances. The Ebony Sword was forged by Merlin and Sir Percy from the Starstone meteorite, and it was enchanted to cut through any object, prevent the death of its wielder, and deflect any magic, but all that came with a big price: the Ebony Blade carries a curse that slowly corrupts those who use it with a lust for violence, bloodshed, and death. Knull (a possible MCU phase 5 debut), an elder god and the creator of the symbiotes, said Merlin lied about the true nature of the Ebony Blade and it can only be used by those impure of heart, as it draws out their negative emotions until they become manic for violence.

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Sir Percy used the Ebony Blade and is considered the first Black Knight in the Marvel Universe, and so it was passed down through generations, with Nathan Garrett becoming the next Black Knight and later Dane Whitman. Garrett was Dane’s uncle, and he lived a life of crime as Black Knight, which came to an end when he was mortally wounded falling from his winged horse while trying to kill Iron Man. Garrett summoned Dane to reveal his secret identity to him, and repented for his life of crime. After that, as well as inheriting Garrett’s weapons, Dane Whitman took on the Black Knight mantle but with a different purpose, as he decided to be a hero. The Ebony Blade was given to Dane when he inherited Castle Garrett, where the spirit of Sir Percy told him the story of the sword before giving it to him.

How Powerful Dane Whitman's Ebony Blade Is

The Black Knight wields the Ebony Blade in Marvel Comics.

Thanks to Merlin using his magic to empower it, the Ebony Blade has very specific powers that make it both an intriguing and dangerous weapon. The Ebony Blade was forged as a dark counterpart to Excalibur and it carries a dark curse, as it simultaneously feeds on and worsens the most negative aspects of the user, making the sword and the wielder stronger with each new kill. The Ebony Blade's powers also include deflecting most magical attacks and absorbing the energy directed at it; it can cut through all materials except enchanted ones.

Thanks to the powers of the Ebony Blade, Eternals and Avengers alike could find it hard to take down the sword's wielder if necessary. Merlin also enchanted it so that the wielder can be fatally injured but not truly killed - unless it’s with a weapon also made from the Starstone. In fact, the enchantment makes it possible for the sword to resurrect its wielder as long as they are a member of King Arthur’s bloodline, and are holding onto it when they die. Moreover, whoever wields the indestructible Ebony Blade cannot be injured by it.

The stronger the connection between the wielder and the Ebony Blade, the more the wielder can access the sword's special abilities, such as teleporting themselves to the sword's location or vice versa, either through mystic ceremony or act of will. When the full power of the blade is unleashed, it encases its wielder in a suit of black armor, and, similar to America Chavez's powers, even allows them to open and close portals to other dimensions/universes. The real caveat is that this connection also means that the evil acts committed by the wielder can taint the blade, and if too much blood is spilled, the sword will start craving blood and will induce the user to kill more.

Related: 1 Marvel Easter Egg Hints At Black Knight's Major Role In The MCU

Why The Ebony Blade In Eternals Reads "Death Is My Reward"

Kit Harington Black Knight Ebony Blade

Dane Whitman and the Ebony Blade's Eternals post-credits scene also came with the mysterious message in the chest containing the sword, which reads “Death is my Reward." This inscription is a reference to all the power and danger that comes with using the artifact. However, it’s worth noting that — in the comics — Dane Whitman has been able to resist the corruption of the Ebony Blade for the most part, and even joined the Avengers.

Why Blade Warns Dane Whitman About Using The Ebony Blade

Why Blade warns dane about the Ebony Blade the eternals

Another critical question to address is why Blade warns Dane Whitman about the Ebony Blade in the Eternals post-credits scene. First and foremost, this interaction signals a growing MCU trend, which is that MCU Phase 5 and beyond is starting to reckon with the mystical and supernatural sides of the Marvel Comics universe, in addition to the more science and Celestial-based storylines of MCU Phases 1-3. As two of the main characters occupying this corner of Marvel's pantheon, it makes sense for Blade and Black Knight to be in contact. More specifically, Blade issues a warning to Dane because he is likely well acquainted with the dangers posed by the Ebony Blade and how it can corrupt anyone who wields it.

That said, there's always the possibility that Blade wants Dane Whitman's Ebony Blade for himself to boost his own powers. With the Ebony Blade in his hands, the Daywalker could become a god. Ultimately, however, Blade's comment "you sure you're ready for that, Mr. Whitman," as ominous as it is, is most likely offered in good faith as a genuine word of caution. As previously discussed, the Ebony Blade's wielders are susceptible to corruption, violence, bloodlust, and a whole host of other unpleasantness. Since one of Blade's primary concerns is managing his own bloodlust while killing vampires, he may be averse to the idea of touching the Ebony Blade himself. Dane should indeed proceed carefully.

What The Ebony Blade Means For Dane Whitman's MCU Future

Dane whitman return MCU future the black knight kit harington

The Ebony Blade — Eternals' biggest mystery — is key to Dane Whitman’s future in the MCU as it confirms his transformation into Black Knight, which fans were hoping for when Harington’s character was confirmed to be Whitman. Fans were hoping that Eternals would offer a more complete introduction of Kit Harrington as Black Knight or the beginnings of his transformation, and while it didn’t happen as they hoped, it did set up his future as this specific superhero. After seeing battles like the one in New York, Thanos’ snap, the Battle of Earth, and the attack of the Deviants, Dane is most likely convinced by now that if he can do anything to help save the world, he should do it, and the Ebony Blade is his ticket to doing just that. Dane has now come into direct contact with the sword, so his transformation into Black Knight is bound to happen.

Related: Marvel Made A Mistake With Black Knight's Eternals Origin

This opens up many doors for Dane’s return in upcoming movies and TV shows in the MCU’s Phase 4 and beyond, particularly in Blade as the Daywalker was the one who asked him if he was sure of what he was doing when he touched the sword. Will Kit Harrington be in the Blade reboot? It's likely to happen, though nothing's been set in stone yet. What's sure is that the Ebony Blade is going to be one of the most important objects and weapons in this new era in the MCU, and Dane Whitman is on his way to becoming a much bigger character than he was in Eternals debut.

Next: Dane Whitman's Blade Connection Can Fix A Longstanding Black Knight Issue

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