Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was originally going to introduce another key hero to the team from the comics but this character was cut in the treatment stage. The goal was to give more time to Mantis and the returning Guardians of the Galaxy, and writer-director James Gunn told me that it was a Guardians of the Galaxy roster member from the comics but not someone from the original year 3000 team.

We theorized that this character, who we expect to appear in Guardians of the Galaxy 3, could be Phyla-Vell or Moondragon (Drax's daughter) but that the most likely candidate was Adam Warlock. Warlock was a lead player in the Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning Guardians of the Galaxy comics that Gunn took inspiration from for his live-action adaptation and of course, Warlock is a nemesis of Thanos in the Infinity books... Not to mention Warlock's people are introduced in Vol. 2 (Ayesha and the Sovereign people).

At the Guardians of the Galaxy 2 media junket Tuesday, Gunn - who had also previously namedropped Adam Warlock as a personal favorite in Facebook Q&A sessions with fans - confirmed to us that the cut character was indeed Adam Warlock and that he's saving him for a "future film."

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Warning: Potential mild spoilers below for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

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MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES 6-INCH GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY W2 - Adam Warlock
MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES 6-INCH GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY WAVE 2 - Adam Warlock Toy

On our set visit last year you mentioned that you had one major character, one of your favorite Guardians of the Galaxy, who didn't make it to the film and was cut in the treatment stage. What it [Adam Warlock] and do you think we'll see him in Vol. 3?

James Gunn: Well you're assuming it's a him.

I am assuming. It could be a her.

James Gunn: But you're right. It's the Guardian who's teased at the end of the movie. That was a fuller story in two and I thought I'd save it for a feature film.

Speaking to /Film today at the print portion of the junket, Gunn and Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige confirmed that Adam Warlock is part of the MCU's future cosmic plans but that he will not be involved in Avengers: Infinity War. Count him as a 'given' for Guardians of the Galaxy 3 in Phase 4 however and have fun speculation on the possibilities that will lead to, especially after Kevin Feige teased that GOTG 3 will setup the next decade of the Marvel Cosmic.

Can we expect the villainous Magus and rifts in space to the Cancerverse? Will we see the Warlock and the Infinity Watch team form? Where's Richard Rider? Share your thoughts and theories in the comments!

More: 50 Things We Learned on the Guardians of the Galaxy 2 Set

Set to the all-new sonic backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is written and directed by James Gunn and stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, featuring Vin Diesel as Baby Groot, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, Chris Sullivan, Sean Gunn, Tommy Flanagan, Laura Haddock, with Sylvester Stallone, and Kurt Russell. Kevin Feige is producing, and Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Jonathan Schwartz, Nikolas Korda and Stan Lee are the executive producers.