Kit Harington's MCU Adventure Hits a Wall

Kit Harington, famous for playing Jon Snow in Game of Thrones, is taking a break from big franchise roles. After his debut as Dane Whitman in Eternals (2021), many expected him to become the Black Knight in a future Blade film, but he’s currently stepping away from these high-profile projects.

However, despite the strong foundation laid for his character, Eternals didn't quite hit the mark at the box office, bringing in $402 million globally, a figure that fell short of Marvel’s expectations. This underperformance has led to the shelving of a potential sequel, while the Blade movie, set to feature Mahershala Ali, has faced numerous production setbacks. The future of Harington's character in the MCU is now shrouded in uncertainty.

In a new interview with GQ magazine, Kit Harington spoke openly about his brief stint in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). He explained his decision by saying, “I won’t claim I took that role solely for its novelty or appeal. When Marvel reaches out, you have to take the opportunity.”

The Blade reboot, announced in July 2019, has faced delays and changes. Original director Bassam Tariq left just before filming in September 2022. The script has been revised by various writers, and recent turmoil saw director Yann Demange exit, with Eric Pearson now handling the script.

As for Harington, he’s deliberately steering clear of the franchise spotlight. Although he considered revisiting his role as Jon Snow in a potential spinoff series, he ultimately declined, citing a lack of a compelling storyline.

Harington revealed that HBO initially pitched the idea of a Jon Snow spinoff to him, but after some development, he decided it wasn't worth pursuing, as the project lacked the excitement and depth necessary for success.

Kit Harington discussed his hesitance to return as Jon Snow, acknowledging the challenge of leaving such an iconic role behind. "You almost need to completely detach from that part of your life, and it's only been a few years," he said. "The role will always be a major part of my life—it might be the most significant work I ever do. I met my wife through it, have kids because of it, and lifelong friends. I'm recognized everywhere because of it. But staying connected to it makes it difficult for people to see me as anything else."