Kit Harington on Joining the MCU: ‘If Marvel Calls, You Have to Take the Role, Even If You Don’t Pretend It Was for the Challenge’

Kit Harington, known for his role in “Game of Thrones,” is currently distancing himself from major franchises. After making his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut as Dane Whitman in “Eternals” in 2021, Harington’s character was set up to become the Black Knight in a future “Blade” movie.

However, despite the initial excitement, “Eternals” underperformed at the box office, grossing $402 million globally, and Marvel has not announced a sequel. Additionally, the “Blade” reboot starring Mahershala Ali has faced multiple setbacks and directorial changes, leaving Harington’s future with Marvel uncertain.

In a recent profile with GQ, Harington mentioned his brief MCU involvement with a touch of humor, saying, “If Marvel calls, you gotta do it,” but provided no details about his continuation with the franchise.

The “Blade” reboot has struggled since its announcement in July 2019. Initially helmed by Bassam Tariq, who left the project in September 2022, the film has seen several writers come and go, including Stacy Osei-Kuffour and Michael Starrbury. Recently, Yann Demange also exited the project, with Eric Pearson now taking over as the new screenwriter.

For now, Harington is stepping back from franchise work, including the possibility of reprising his “Game of Thrones” role in a Jon Snow spinoff. Although HBO approached him with the idea, Harington eventually decided against it, feeling the project lacked a compelling story.

He expressed concern that pushing the development further could result in a product that failed to meet expectations. Reflecting on the purpose of his role, Harington acknowledged the lasting impact of Jon Snow on his life but felt that continuing to be associated with the character would hinder his efforts to explore new opportunities.