Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 promises to up the stakes in Marvel’s Multiverse Saga. Not only is this sequel likely the last to feature the current incarnation of the team, it’s also introducing Will Poulter’s Adam Warlock to the MCU. But if Warlock’s comic book history is any indication, he’s going to be a powerful ally and a terrible enemy rolled together.
As Guardians 3 draws closer, let’s look back at Adam Warlock’s long and complicated history in the Marvel Universe, from his early days as a cosmic messiah to his pivotal role in stories like The Infinity Gauntlet. And where does his evil half, Magus, fit into that equation? We explain it all.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is directed by James Gunn and also stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, Dave Bautista, Pom Klementieff and Chukwudi Iwuji. The film hits theaters on May 5, 2023.
We come in peace Before director James Gunn becomes the New Godfather of the DCU he's got one Final Marvel movie in the pipeline Guardians of the Galaxy vol 3 not only Serves as the final outing for this Incarnation of the team it also Introduces one of Marvel's most powerful Cosmic Heroes to the MCU Adam Warlock Though if Adam's comic book history is Anything to go by he could just as Easily become the mcu's worst nightmare Who is Will poulter's Marvel character And why does he play such a pivotal role In all things Cosmic let's break down Adam's comic book Origins and the role He may be playing in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3. I think I should call him Adam Warlock is one of the major players in Marvel's Cosmic Landscape his innate Energy-based Powers already make him a Force to be reckoned with but when he Wields the awesome might of the Soul Gem Warlock becomes one of the most powerful Warriors in the universe warlock has Been a frequent Ally of teams like the Fantastic Four and the Guardians of the Galaxy often fighting to protect the Universe from villains who seek to rule It however warlock is both one of the Greatest threats to the Marvel Universe And one of its Valiant Defenders that's Because he has a darker side known as
Magus while warlock has done his best to Suppress or destroy his darker side the Universe is never quite safe from this Tyrannical villain as long as warlock Himself survives [Music] Like a great mini Cosmic Marvel Characters Adam Warlock was originally Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in The pages of Fantastic Four at this time Though he was simply known as him and it Wasn't until later when writers like Roy Thomas and Jim Starlin got their hands On the character that warlock's Backstory and ongoing role in the Marvel Universe was truly fleshed out in these Early stories warlock was treated as a Messianic savior with Thomas drawing Heavy inspiration from the musical Jesus Christ Superstar Starland in particular played a major Role in shaping the character it was he Who linked the character to the Soul Gem And established the ongoing rivalry Between Warlock and the fanatical Church Of universal truth led by warlock's Insane future self Magis Starlin even Killed off the character when warlock Traveled forward in time and drained his Own soul to prevent himself from ever Becoming Magus warlock eventually Returned and several different Incarnations of magus have followed The Infinity Gauntlet storyline served as
What is arguably warlock's most Important act in the Marvel universe as He helped Earth's Heroes overthrow the All-powerful Thanos and took possession Of The Infinity Gauntlet for himself That paved the way for a new series Called Infinity watch where Warlock and His allies pipped the troll Gamora Drax The Destroyer Moondragon and Thanos Himself safeguarded the infinity gems to Prevent another villain from Reassembling The Gauntlet warlock once Again Rose to the Forefront of the Marvel Universe during 2007's Annihilation Conquest crossover he Returned to help Shepherd a new Incarnation of the Guardians of the Galaxy the one that would go on to Inspire the movies and prevent the Already fragile fabric of the Marvel Universe from being further damaged most Recently warlock has been featured in Several thanocentric graphic novels Written and drawn by Starlin and the 2018 crossover Infinity Wars Foreign Warlock was genetically engineered by a Group of scientists called The Enclave Who desired to create a genetically Perfect synthetic human warlock has your Standard superhero abilities like Strength speed durability and flight as Well as the ability to absorb and Channel cosmic energy via Quantum magic
Warlock also has the ability to retreat Into a regenerative cocoon and heal his Body from Mortal wounds much of his Power however is derived from the soul Gem one of the six gems that make up the Infinity Gauntlet the soul gem allows Warlock to absorb The Souls of other Beings it's this soul gem that caused a Future incarnation of warlock to become Insane and transform into maggots Warlock also briefly wielded all six Infinity gems in the aftermath of 1991's Infinity Gauntlet storyline making him One of the most powerful beings in Existence Warlock sort of already made his MCU Debut in the post-credits scene in 2013's Thor the Dark World Gunn has said The Cocoon scene in the collector's Trophy Room did indeed house warlock's Body warlock was originally planned to Appear in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 But Gunn elected to leave him out rather Than cram too many characters into one Film that's why the film only teases his Eventual appearance instead warlock will Make his proper debut in 2023's Guardians of the Galaxy vol 3 where He'll be played by mid-summer and dope Six star Will Poulter even after the Debut of the first trailer we don't Really know how warlock will factor into The plot Guardians Volume 2 teases the Aisha and The Sovereign will awaken Adam
To take revenge on the Guardians Disney's plot summary for volume 3 Teases that nowhere comes under attack By a mysterious new enemy so that could Be his handiwork we also have to assume Warlock is somehow connected to the high Evolutionary the mad scientist villain May have had some hand in creating Adam Warlock in the first place and maybe he Just really wants to get his hands on Adam's perfect DNA but what about the Soul Stone we can definitely see some Sort of gem on Adam's forehead in the Trailer but Thanos destroyed the Infinity Stones following the events of Avengers Infinity War maybe this version Of Adam Warlock relies on a different Artifact for his power or maybe we'll Learn you can't permanently destroy the Infinity Stones in the first place we Also don't know whether Adam's Magus Personality will appear in the movie That villain may be better saved for the Next sequel even if Adam Warlock and the Guardians are in Conflict now it's a Safe bet that this powerful hero will Play a big part in shaping the next Incarnation of the team in the MCU how Do you think Adam Warlock will fit into Guardians volume 3 is maggots going to Be the next great Cosmic villain after King the Conqueror let us know your Theories in the comments and make sure To like And subscribe to IGN for more on
The future of the MCU [Music] [Music] Don't forget Where we came from We have been running Our whole lives
