“The Eternals”, the new Marvel movie, has just been released in theaters. The feature film contains two post-credits sequences. The opportunity for us to dissect the second, which focuses on a new character: The Dark Knight. CAUTION SPOILERS !!!
The Eternals : the MCU is back
After Black widow and Shang-Chi, and in the meantime Spider-Man: No Way Home, The MCU just presented a new movie: The Eternals. Directed by Chloé Zhao (Nomadland), the feature film aims to introduce a whole new team to viewers. A dysfunctional and extremely powerful team led by Sersi and Ikaris, respectively played by Gemma Chan and Richard Madden.
But another character, much more secondary, is also entering the MCU. This is Dane Whitman, played by Kit Harington. If the latter, in The Eternals, is confined to the role of Sersi’s boyfriend, comic book readers know there is much more. Although the character does not fully reveal her identity in Chloe Zhao’s film, he implies that his past is murky, and hides fantastic elements that hardcore fans know well. Then comes the second post-credits scene of the film, which says a bit more about the character.
Obviously, this article is reserved for those who have already seen the film. Here is the decryption of the second post-credits scene which features a brand new character. CAUTION SPOILERS!
Focus on this second post-credits scene
At the very end of the credits of The Eternals, Chloé Zhao has an additional sequence loaded with meaning. Indeed, the scene in question stops on the fate, and the future, of Dane Whitman, the character played by Kit Harington. In this famous sequence, the character opens a chest that looks quite old. This contains a magic sword that he hesitates to take in his hands. When he approaches her, she reacts to his presence. Then a deep voice reasons before he takes the weapon in his hands. Some think it is the voice of Dr. Strange, even if nothing confirms this hypothesis. In any case, this scene poses a lot of questions, which we will try to answer.
Who is The Dark Knight, and what is his story?
Initially, The Dark Knight, whose story is inspired by that of King Arthur, is a supervillain who regularly faces Iron Man. Nathan Garrett, when he is killed, makes his nephew Dane Whitman swear to to restore the image of their lineage and to atone for their faults. The latter accepts the challenge, and decides to use the powers of the Dark Knight to do good. But obviously, it’s not that simple …
Indeed, the main weapon of the Dark Knight is his ebony sword, a very ancient, very powerful artefact, and especially terribly cursed. Indeed, the ebony sword has some rather useful attributes. This blade is able to go through absolutely any material and all metals (including extraterrestrial) with the exception of adamantium (the metal that covers Wolverine’s bones). When The Dark Knight is in possession of his sword, he is immortal. And when he separates from her, an unshakeable mental bond allows him to find her wherever she is. Finally, if the sword is close to its wearer, it can be attracted by force, in the same way as Mjolnir with Thor. However, the ebony sword exerts an evil force on its wearer, and brings out its demonic counterparts. Overall this is an extremely powerful but cursed weapon, who is a bad influence on Dane Whitman.
His involvement in the MCU
As shown in the post-credits scene from The Eternals, Dane Whitman hesitates to make contact with his sword. We suspect, of course, that the character will end up (re) becoming The Dark Knight. Although its introduction is short-lived in The Eternals, the character could play a bigger role in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Indeed, the two characters know each other very well in the comics, since they are both members of the Defenders.
Subsequently, he could also become a member of the Avengers, a status he has in the comics. Over the years, the character has become indispensable, and has even been leader of the team for a while. It was in the 1990s that he reached his peak and obtained his own series of comics, before falling slightly into oblivion in the 21st century. It remains to be seen whether the voice that sounds at the end of the film is indeed that of Dr Strange or that of Nathan Garrett.
The Eternals has been in theaters since Wednesday 3 …
