When I first heard Adam Warlock was going to appear in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, I was thrilled.
He’s one of those characters in the Marvel universe who feels larger-than-life – a cosmic powerhouse with endless potential.
But then I saw the movie, and I’ll admit, I was a little underwhelmed. The Adam Warlock we got was nothing like the one I imagined.
Instead of a wise, powerful hero, we got an immature, slightly goofy character who felt unfinished.
That got me thinking if Adam Warlock had been fully developed in the movie, how different would it have been?
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The Impact of a Fully Developed Warlock
In the comics, Adam Warlock is a big deal. He’s not just strong – he’s a game-changer.
Created by scientists to be the perfect human, Warlock evolves into a near-unstoppable force capable of manipulating cosmic energy, traveling through dimensions, and even using the Soul Gem to trap souls.
When he’s at full power, he’s one of the most important players in Marvel’s cosmic storylines.
If we’d seen this version of Warlock in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the movie would have been completely different.
A fully developed Warlock could have easily overpowered the High Evolutionary and resolved most of the movie’s conflicts within minutes.
Think about it – Counter-Earth might not have been destroyed, Rocket wouldn’t have been in danger for long, and the Guardians would’ve been side characters in Warlock’s story.
It’s safe to say the stakes and tension would’ve been much lower.
But Warlock’s power isn’t just about flashy fights. What makes him fascinating in the comics is his moral complexity.
He’s often burdened by philosophical questions about right and wrong, especially when wielding the Soul Gem.
Adding that element to the movie would’ve shifted its tone dramatically – and possibly taken the spotlight away from the Guardians.
So That’s Why Marvel Toned Him Down
In the movie, Adam Warlock isn’t fully developed. He’s pulled out of his cocoon too early, leaving him immature and, let’s face it, kind of clueless.
At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about this portrayal. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense.
For one, it aligns with his comic origins. In the comics, Warlock often emerges from his cocoon in a weakened or amnesiac state, which gives him room to grow.
By showing him as a flawed and unfinished character, Marvel avoided the problem of making him too powerful too quickly.
If he’d been at full strength, the High Evolutionary would’ve been no match, and the movie’s plot would’ve been over before it really began.
This approach also leaves space for Warlock’s character to develop in future films. Right now, he’s like a cosmic teenager trying to figure out his place in the universe.
That kind of journey fits well with the themes of redemption and growth that have always been central to the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise.
The Soul Stone and the Infinity Saga – The Missed Potential
One thing that still bugs me, though, is the missed connection between Warlock and the Soul Stone. In the comics, the Soul Gem is a huge part of who he is.
It gives him incredible power but also comes with a dark side, tempting him to take souls and raising moral questions about how far he should go.
In the MCU, the Soul Stone played a central role in Infinity War and Endgame, but Warlock was nowhere to be found. If he’d been involved, it could’ve added an extra layer to those films.
Imagine Warlock working alongside the Avengers to take down Thanos while wrestling with the Soul Stone’s influence.
That’s the kind of emotional and thematic depth that could’ve made his MCU debut unforgettable.
What About the Magus?
If Warlock had been fully developed in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, we might’ve also gotten a glimpse of one of his most iconic storylines – the Magus saga.
In this storyline, Warlock battles his future evil self, the Magus, who becomes the leader of a fanatical intergalactic religion.
It’s a story full of cosmic stakes and moral dilemmas, and it’s one of the reasons Warlock is such a beloved character in the comics.
Including the Magus in the movie would’ve completely changed its focus, though.
Instead of the Guardians facing the High Evolutionary, the movie might’ve been about Warlock grappling with his darker side.
While that would’ve been an epic story, it might not have fit with the lighter, more grounded tone of the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy.
The Humor Debate
One of the most divisive aspects of Warlock’s MCU debut was how much humor surrounded his character.
James Gunn leaned into the idea of Warlock as a clueless, overpowered teenager, and while some people loved it, others felt it undercut the character’s potential.
Personally, I thought the humor was hit or miss. On one hand, it fit with the movie’s tone and gave Warlock room to grow. On the other hand, I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.
Warlock in the comics is a deep, philosophical character, and it felt like the movie missed a chance to show that side of him.
But in the end, that said, this lighter portrayal sets the stage for Warlock to mature.
By the end of the movie, he’s already starting to change, choosing to save Star-Lord and join the Guardians. It’s not the Warlock I expected, but it’s a solid foundation for what’s to come.
What’s Next for Adam Warlock?
Even though Warlock wasn’t fully developed in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, his journey is far from over.
The MCU is great at building characters over multiple movies, and Warlock has so much room to grow.
Whether it’s battling the Magus, reclaiming the Soul Stone, or playing a major role in Secret Wars, there are endless possibilities for his future.
Right now, he’s still figuring out who he is.
But as he evolves, I think we’ll see the Adam Warlock fans have been waiting for – a wise, powerful, and morally complex hero who can stand alongside Marvel’s biggest players.