Adam Warlock"s New MCU Role Is Just The Start: 10 Theories For His Future

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Warning: This post contains spoilers for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Several theories offer possible avenues Marvel could take with Adam Warlock after his introduction in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. After originally being teased in one of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2's post-credits scenes, the Golden Gladiator made his long-awaited MCU debut in James Gunn's 2023 sequel. The character's remarkable abilities have been showcased quite significantly in Marvel Comics, but Poulter delivered a very different version of the hero in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Despite Adam Warlock's MCU debut being greatly anticipated, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 only gave audiences a glimpse of what he is capable of. The film focused primarily on the Guardians' mission to defeat the High Evolutionary and save Rocket's life, with Adam being seen as a minor antagonist until his change of heart in the film's climactic moments. Prior to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3's release, director James Gunn confirmed that Adam Warlock is just a baby, not long emerged from his cocoon, which means he has plenty of room to grow in the MCU, and many more stories to tell. Here's ten theories about what Adam's future could be after the movie.
10 Adam Warlock Is A Guardian Of The Galaxy

Although introduced as an antagonistic presence in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 - even being the one to cause Rocket's serious injuries in the film's opening moments - Adam Warlock eventually joined the ranks of the Guardians team. This led to Adam becoming an official member of the MCU's new Guardians of the Galaxy in the film's mid-credits scene, alongside the likes of Rocket, Groot, Kraglin, Cosmo, and MCU newcomer Phyla, portrayed by Kai Zen. This means that, should the Guardians of the Galaxy see further MCU projects, Adam Warlock should be featured as a crucial member of the team, giving Marvel Studios ample opportunity to develop his story further.
9 Marvel Comics' Adam Warlock Became The Magus

One of the most exciting developments in Adam Warlock's story in the comics was the introduction of the Magus, an evil future version of Adam who had been driven insane by his prolonged use of the Soul Gem. The Magus provided Adam's character with a certain level of complexity, and became one of Adam's most formidable adversaries due to them being matched in strength. If Adam Warlock's Magus storyline is to be explored in future MCU projects, the franchise could see the debut of one of its most powerful and unhinged villains yet, perhaps creating some of the most dramatic and intense moments in the MCU's cosmic future.
8 The MCU Can Introduce The Universal Church Of Truth

The Magus' introduction into the MCU could pave the way for the debut of the Universal Church of Truth, a corrupt religious, cosmic empire whose followers worship the Magus. The Universal Church of Truth preaches peace and harmony, but if civilizations refuse to bow down to their dogma, the Church "purifies" them, forcing them to submit, or eradicating those who don't. The Universal Church of Truth could make a brilliant one-off villain for a future Guardians of the Galaxy installment, particularly now that Adam Warlock is on the team, as they pose a threat similar to that of Ego or the High Evolutionary from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
7 Adam Warlock In The MCU's Sets Up The Annihilation Storyline

Marvel Comics' Adam Warlock played a major role in the 2007 run of Annihilation: Conquest, a sequel to the previous year's epic Annihilation crossover event. The major villain of the Annihilation storyline was Annihilus, who has been rumored to be entering the MCU in a future project - and James Gunn even revealed on Twitter that Annihilus was considered for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3's villain. While this didn't come to pass, however, the fact that Adam Warlock is now in the MCU means that the Annihilation storyline can unfold, which could expand the MCU's cosmic storylines, and allow new Guardians team members to get some much-needed development.
6 MCU's Silver Surfer Can Be Set Up Thanks To Adam Warlock

The Silver Surfer has been rumored to be debuting in the MCU soon, potentially in a Special Presentation, or in Phase 6's upcoming Fantastic Four project. Now that Adam Warlock is officially in the MCU, the Silver Surfer's introduction could be one step closer. The pair share an intrinsic connection in Marvel Comics, as the pair have not only battled several times, but also shared their souls during the epic Infinity Gauntlet storyline. Adam Warlock and the Silver Surfer are perhaps two of the most evenly-matched cosmic heroes in the Marvel Universe, so the two sharing the screen together in the MCU could lead to a team-up of epic proportions.
5 Adam Warlock Could Pay Off Eternals Post-Credits Scene

Harry Styles and Patton Oswalt debuted as Eros and Pip the Troll in Eternals' post-credits scene, causing some confusion about the future of the Eternals in the MCU. Adam Warlock's introduction in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 could pose the perfect opportunity for this narrative to be developed further, since Adam and Pip embark on many adventures together in the pages of Marvel Comics. Pip debuted in 1975's Strange Tales #179 as the comic foil to the more serious Adam Warlock, so it's possible that Adam and Pip could team up in the MCU, allowing Adam Warlock to be the vehicle to expand on the MCU's cosmic storylines.
4 Adam Warlock Could Join The Cosmic Avengers

The Cosmic Avengers are one of Marvel Comics' lesser-known avenging teams, formed by Loki in 2018's Infinity Wars #4 in an attempt to stop Gamora from destroying the universe. After recruiting the mutant Emma Frost, Ms. Marvel, Kang the Conqueror, Ant-Man, and the Hulk, Loki approached Adam Warlock about joining the team, as each member could withstand wielding an Infinity Stone, with Adam connected to the Soul Gem. While the comics' Adam refused to join the team, the MCU character could head in the opposite direction. If that were to happen, Adam could have his own Avengers team to lead in the MCU's future.
3 A Version Of Adam Warlock Recreated Counter-Earth

During 1992's Infinity War storyline in Marvel Comics, Adam Warlock wielded the Infinity Gauntlet and expelled the forces of good and evil from his body. The evil side formed the Magus, and the good created the entity known as the Goddess. The Goddess would later collect a variety of Cosmic Cubes, and use them to rebuild the destroyed Counter-Earth into her own base of operations, before declaring war on the sinful universe. The High Evolutionary's experiments are killed in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 when he destroys his version of Counter-Earth, though this creates the opportunity for someone - potentially a version of Adam Warlock - to rebuild it.
2 Marvel Comics' Adam Warlock Was An Agent Of The Living Tribunal

Marvel Studios teased the introduction of the Living Tribunal during the MCU's Phase 4, particularly in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Thor: Love & Thunder, both of which featured looming statues of the cosmic entity. In an alternate reality of the Marvel Universe, Adam Warlock unwittingly destroyed the universe, and in striking a deal to rebuild it, became the next Living Tribunal, as the original had been slain by the Beyonders. The Living Tribunal's function was to safeguard the multiverse, so this entity's debut in the Multiverse Saga would make complete sense, and could pose an interesting future for the MCU's Adam Warlock.
1 Adam Warlock Could Fight With The Avengers In The MCU's Phase 6

While Adam Warlock's future in the MCU following Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 hasn't been confirmed, it's likely he'll make his next appearance would be in Phase 6's crossover events, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars. During the MCU's Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, the Guardians of the Galaxy joined the ranks of Earth's Mightiest Heroes to battle Thanos, so it's likely this will happen again, especially now that Rocket is leading the team, and he already has connections to the Avengers on Earth. This would be a great way for Marvel Studios to cement Adam Warlock as a permanent fixture in the future of the MCU.
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