Original: First Look At Adam Warlock In GOTG Vol. 3

In a welcome surprise on Thursday, Disney treated fans to trailers for James Gunn’s last installment of The Guardians of the Galaxy and Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones 5. We worked through the trailers for hints about where both franchises could go but were left with just one thought: Adam Warlock wants to break the GOTG.

Just in case you missed it, here’s Adam Warlock unloading on Nebula.

Adam Warlock taking shots at Nebula
Credit: Marvel Studios – Adam Warlock taking a swing at Nebula @ 1:28

Who is Adam Warlock?

In the comics, Warlock was created by scientists on Earth called the Enclave seeking to build the perfect (synthetic) human, “Him.” However, Him rebels against the Enclave and leaves Earth, later earning the name “Warlock” when the High Evolutionary enlists him to defeat Man-Beast on counter-Earth.

James Gunn’s Adam Warlock is set to have a different backstory, albeit similar. According to Variety, Adam Warlock in the MCU is created by the Sovereign to retaliate against the Guardians. And it looks like he’ll get the opportunity to do just that. We’re assuming it’s because Rocket stole their batteries in Volume 2.

Are the team’s mistakes coming back to haunt or will Warlock eventually join them? James Gunn isn’t planning on sending the GOTG off at the hands of the Sovereign, right?

If you haven’t had an opportunity to check out the new trailer, here it is:

See Adam Warlock in GOTG @ 1:27

If Gunn follows Marvel canon even loosely (beyond Warlock’s origins), we’re likely to see Adam come to terms with Star-Lord at some point. In fact, in the comics Warlock eventually serves as the bearer of the Soul Stone, leader of the Infinity Watch, and a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy. But will it happen in Vol. 3?

In any case, we’re excited to see Gamora make her return to the group and Rocket’s narrative get fleshed out. But it’s a bittersweet moment as we look to our last ride with the outcast Guardians.

Trailer score

Disney movies in general are tough to nail because they have an exceptionally skilled marketing department. These folks are miracle workers, honestly. But the MCU team in particular has demonstrated an exceptional ability to make every entry into the MCU look like an absolute banger in 120 seconds.

So whether it translates to a great audience score for the final film or not, the trailer is pretty solid.

New soundtrack, real stakes, great special effects, and fast-paced and meaningful dialogue that doesn’t rely on production tricks or bad jokes. That sums it up.

Trailer Score: 93.34

And given we got a pretty awesome Holiday Special from James Gunn last week, expect the new DCU Studios co-president to deliver in his farewell to Marvel.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 stars Chris Pratt (Star-Lord), Zoe SaldaƱa (Gamora), Will Poulter (Adam Warlock), Karen Gillan (Nebula), Sean Gunn (Kraglin), Vin Diesel (Groot), Dave Bautista (Drax), and Pom Klementieff (Mantis). Gunn’s finale hits theaters May 5, 2023.