Adam Warlock Is More Exciting Because He Missed Infinity War & Endgame

Adam Warlock missing out on Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame can make his story in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 even better. Played by Will Poulter, the Golden Gladiator is set to finally join the MCU in the third and final installment in James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. His arrival in the MCU will come a few years after the defeat of Thanos, his biggest enemy in Marvel Comics.

Due to Adam Warlock's importance to the comics and the specific stories Marvel was telling in Phase 3, Adam Warlock has long been considered the Infinity Saga's biggest missing character. After all, he was the de-factor leader of the heroes who thwarted Thanos' plans in the comic story Infinity War and Endgame are based on. But in the end, Adam had no part to play in either movie, with his debut being saved for the Guardians' last hurrah in the MCU and their upcoming battle with the High Evolutionary. But while his absence from Infinity War and Endgame was disappointing, the character not being in the two movies can actually be good for Phase 5 and the adventures that follow.

Adam Warlock's MCU Story Is Wide Open After Missing Infinity War & Endgame

Had Poulter's character appeared earlier, there would have been little doubt about his role in the MCU. Adam was the driving force of The Infinity Gauntlet comic and the greatest threat to Thanos in the Marvel Universe. Adam Warlock and Thanos' stories were so intertwined that it felt like a no-brainer early on that an MCU interpretation of Adam Warlock would have to be on a collision course with the Mad Titan. But with that scenario removed from the board permanently, Adam's future is wide open. Because not only did Thanos die, but the Infinity Stones have been destroyed. Dealing with the vampiric powers of the Soul Stone and forming the Infinity Watch to make sure the Stones were never reunited were key elements of his comic story. With both the Infinity Stones and Thanos in the MCU's past at this point, there is no obvious route for Marvel to take when it comes to Adam's future.

That being said, Marvel hasn't made his introduction pointless. It's true that Warlock's biggest stories have already been adapted, but like the situation with most Marvel superheroes, there's more to the character than fighting Thanos and protecting the Infinity Stones. He's had a long list of adventures that had nothing to do with Thanos that Marvel can look to in Phase 5 and beyond. They're less well-known, of course, but that's actually for the best. Audiences not having a clear idea of where his path leads and Marvel having complete creative freedom with his story makes Adam Warlock's role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 one of the most exciting parts of the MCU's Phase 5 slate.

How Adam Warlock Fits In Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3

Interestingly, it seems that one of Adam's stories that doesn't involve Thanos may be the inspiration for his arc in the movie. The one glimpse at Adam in the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 trailer does nothing more than confirm he'll be fighting Star-Lord's team and doesn't reveal any details regarding where he fits into the story. Based on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2's post-credits tease, Ayesha and the Sovereigns will send him on a mission to eliminate the team. But while that could explain what's he up to, High Evolutionary's presence in the story is a clue that points to something else entirely. In the comics, accepting a task (and ownership of the Soul Stone) from the High Evolutionary was the backbone of his arc in the 1970s before his first meeting with Thanos.

Similar to his comic book counterpart, it's possible that Adam will find himself on High Evolutionary's side for at least a portion of the film. In need of a purpose in life, the comic hero agreed to help High Evolutionary save a place called Counter-Earth, which appears to be the mysterious planet shown in the trailer. For the same reason, the MCU's Adam Warlock could become its protector. The Guardians visiting the planet or fighting the High Evolutionary could make Adam an enemy at first, but his heroic reputation in the comics makes it likely they'll end on good terms.

What Adam Warlock's MCU Future Could Be After GOTG 3

True to the spirit of the Golden Gladiator in Marvel Comics, Adam Warlock still has the potential to be the most important figure in the cosmic side of the MCU. With Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 expected to be the final story for Star-Lord and his allies, it makes sense for fresh faces to get the spotlight in the years to come. Plus, Adam Warlock's track record of being at the center of so many cosmic crossovers makes him an ideal candidate for that role. When Marvel introduces new intergalactic threats for the heroes of the MCU to fight - regardless of who they may be - Will Poulter's Adam Warlock may be the one who rallies them to victory.

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