It’s possible that what Marvel has planned for Adam Warlock in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. will connect with its exploration of Rocket Raccoon’s origin story. How Rocket was created is one of the Guardians of the Galaxy movies’ biggest unanswered questions, and since the third film is said to be the final chapter for these characters, it’s likely that this mystery is about to be solved.
Apart from potentially following up on Rocket Raccoon’s origin teases, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3. is confirmed to dive into another plotline that was set up in MCU will finally introduce Adam Warlock in the trilogy’s third installment. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3. director James Gunn has confirmed the report about Will Poulter being cast as the MCU’s Adam Warlock. As a central figure in the cosmic side of the Marvel Universe, he’s quickly becoming one of Phase 4’s most eagerly-anticipated new additions.
As for how he’ll enter the fray, the implication is that he’ll be seeking revenge for Ayesha. However, the latter may not be back as a villain, meaning that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 could have a different main antagonist. If so, Adam Warlock could become a factor in a different way. If Marvel’s intention is to lean on Rocket Racoon’s origin and scars, the movie will have an opportunity to seamlessly fit Adam Warlock into the mix, via a character known in Marvel Comics as the High Evolutionary. Here’s how the High Evolutionary can bring these storylines together.
High Evolutionary & Adam Warlock Connection In Marvel Comics Explained
Introduced in The Mighty Thor #133 in 1966, the High Evolutionary is a scientist who lives in isolation at a secret lab near Mount Wundagore on Earth. Most of his experiments there relate to his obsession with evolution. Determine to “evolve” creatures through scientific means, the High Evolutionary has successfully created numerous anthropomorphic beasts. Known as the New Men, these talking, animal-like humanoids act as the protectors of Wundagore Mountain and have made recurring appearances alongside Marvel heroes such as Quicksilver, Thor, and The Avengers. While these creatures have had a positive impact on their world, the same can’t be said for all of the High Evolutionary’s work. His ambitions have made him an off-and-on villain of the Avengers, the X-Men, and more.
To Adam Warlock, on the other hand, the High Evolutionary has proven to be an ally. It’s actually this character who gets the credit for Adam’s transformation into a major cosmic hero. The genetically engineered superhuman was in the process of discovering his place in the world when the High Evolutionary walked into his life. It was he who set everything in motion by giving him the Soul Stone, which is what the majority of his adventures were built on. The High Evolutionary tasked Adam Warlock with traveling to Counter-Earth and fighting some of his rogue creations. The main villain of this arc was the wolf-life Man-Beast, arguably the most powerful monster the scientist created. Adam’s alliance with the High Evolutionary ended, but it remains integral to his Marvel Comics journey. If it wasn’t for this meeting, he never would have acquired the Soul Stone, nor would he have become the archrival of Thanos.
How High Evolutionary Can Explain Rocket Racoon's MCU Origin
Rocket's scars and lack of explanation have turned his creator into a mystery that needs to be properly addressed before the end of the trilogy. Looking at who High Evolutionary is in the comics, he feels like a perfect candidate. They don’t have a connection in the comics, but since the MCU writes its own history, that doesn’t matter. What does matter, though, is that thanks to his association with anthropomorphic animals, High Evolutionary fits the bill for what Marvel needs from an MCU interpretation of Rocket’s tragic origin. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 could establish that, instead of being a human based on Earth, the High Evolutionary is an alien scientist who “evolves” creatures like Rocket Raccoon with his barbaric procedures. If that’s the case, Rocket Racoon and beings like him could be the MCU’s take on the New Men. It may be that he captured animals from various worlds like Earth and transformed them into intelligent creatures capable of speech.
High Evolutionary Can Link Rocket And Adam Warlock's MCU Stories
Making the High Evolutionary the one responsible for Rocket Racoon’s existence could serve more than one purpose in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3. While simultaneously exploring the backstory of a major Guardians of the Galaxy character, the movie can finally bring Adam Warlock into the fold in a way that won’t rely too heavily on minor villains from the previous movie. The best way for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 to begin a new story with Adam Warlock is to wrap up the second film’s revenge tease rather quickly. This can work if Star-Lord and the others defeat Adam early in the movie, and get him to abandon his mission. Alternatively, he could run into the High Evolutionary first.
Similar to the villain’s comic book counterpart, the scientist could give Adam Warlock a new purpose in life. That would make sense, considering that Adam could have a great deal of confusion about what he’s supposed to do. As a being who was only recently born, Adam may be in need of direction, especially since it may take time for him to develop an understanding of the world. Plus, the already set up Adam Warlock doesn’t know the Guardians and may not feel motivated to satisfy Ayesha’s hunger for revenge. Going this route could be the best option for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, especially since Ayesha’s people were likely introduced only to set up Adam Warlock. It can instead give this role to someone like the High Evolutionary, or perhaps one of his subjects, like Man-Beast. And if Marvel has plans to retain the essence of the original character, it could also use the High Evolutionary to give Adam a weapon with powers similar to the Soul Stone.
Star-Lord’s group crossing paths with the High Evolutionary and Adam Warlock in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 can resolve two major MCU story arcs at once. Fighting the Golden Gladiator while getting closure for Rocket Racoon at the same time could be the ideal way to streamline its story and bring together a new team for Guardans of the Galaxy 4. Depending on how it plays out, the movie could end with Adam Warlock emerging as a new superhero and a candidate for the most powerful MCU hero.
