Eternals rather dropped the ball on Kit Harington's Dane Whitman, something Marvel Studios could have fixed by having him join Sersi and her fellow immortals on their mission. On the plus side, a post-credits scene teased his eventual transformation into Black Knight.
After watching on helplessly while the woman he loves was taken from Earth by the Celestial Arishem, Dane contemplated picking up the Ebony Blade, only for a mysterious voice to ask whether he was ready for that.
We'd later learn it was Mahershala Ali's Blade who confronted the teacher, with the assumption being that Black Knight's story would continue in the Daywalker's planned solo movie. Rumour has it there were plans in place for that once upon a time, though Harington would later say a supporting role in Blade was "never meant" to happen.
Talking to Screen Rant about his role in Blood for Dust, the Game of Thrones alum seemed to suggest there are currently no plans for Dane three years after this MCU debut.
"I hope that they do something with that character. I think that character is fascinating and brilliant. And I love his trajectory in the comics. I love the idea of a good guy being turned bad by his superpower," Harington explains. "I think that's brilliant. I'm not sure whether we've had a protagonist that's like that, so I think it's a really strong idea. I'd love them to [revisit him]."
"I don't know, though. The honest answer is nothing's in the works at the moment. If they decide to use the character in something, or as a solo thing, I'd be very excited by it. But I don't think it's planned at the moment."
Eternals may have struggled to live up to expectations both critically and commercially, but these characters - and Dane, in particular - deserve better than being indefinitely sidelined and forgotten.
Ikaris is expected to appear in the animated Marvel Zombies, of course, but time is running out for these immortals to play a significant role in the live-action Multiverse Saga.
Marvel Studios needs to provide some answers when it comes to why Blade would want to stop the teacher from wielding the Ebony Blade. As things stand, both that and Harington's future as this hero is uncertain, so fingers crossed he shows up again sooner rather than later.
Let us know your thoughts on Harington's comments in the usual place.