Actor Will Poulter was recently cast as the iconic Marvel character Adam Warlock in the upcoming threequel to Guardians of the Galaxy. He is expected to star alongside the movie's all-star cast, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, and Bradley Cooper. While Poulter isn't new to the entertainment scene, his casting was questioned by many fans, as they had previously set their hearts on teen heartthrob Zac Efron taking the role, or an actor of a similar caliber.
Guardians director James Gunn confirmed this casting news on Twitter, retweeting an article by Deadline which announced Poulter's casting. Gunn wrote, "As you guys know I often strike down false rumors, so… um… Welcome to the Guardians family, Will Poulter." He continued, "He’s an amazing actor and wonderful guy. See you in a couple weeks," along with a hashtag confirming that he will be playing the character in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Prior to landing this superhero role, Poulter was a standout in We're The Millers, alongside comedic legends Jason Sudeikis and Jennifer Aniston. He went on the star in the science-fiction dystopian series, The Maze Runner, and the cult-horror movie Midsommar. Although these three movies, alone, demonstrate the 28-year-old actor's impressive range, he still has much to prove to Marvel Studio's die-hard superhero fans.
What's there to know about Adam Warlock?
Adam Warlock first came to fruition in the Marvel comic books in the late sixties. He was first known as "Him," a god-like figure who was created for scientific purposes. After breaking free of control in an X-Men-esque fashion, he was reborn and welcomed into various storylines, becoming a crucial part of Marvel's cosmic storylines.
He is thought to be an immortal character with many superhuman powers such as enhanced strength, flight, and energy manipulation. Due to the character's heavy involvement with Thanos and the Infinity Saga, it's hard to predict what route Marvel Studios is planning to take with this character now. In the comics, he famously obtained in Infinity Gauntlet from Thanos's control and formed the Infinity Watch — a group dedicated to protecting the Infinity Stones from falling into the hands of evil.
Given that Marvel concluded Thanos's terror in Avengers: Endgame, fans are curious to see where Adam's storyline will lead and how it will tie into the Guardians of the Galaxy Universe. Perhaps, his character will be joining the superhero team, which may be awkward given Thor's recent involvement and Adam's rivalry with the god. However, to stay true to his character, the movie will have to introduce him with some nuance.
What will Will Poulter bring to the character?
Not only does Poulter have an impressive list of roles under his belt, but he also already tested his action skills by starring in The Maze Runner back in 2014. While the movie series isn't in the same realm as Marvel in terms of crime-fighting and superpowered movements, it did have some intense sequences.
Poulter has also bulked up since his previous projects. Fans have been divided between criticizing the actor for his new roles and thirsting over his new look that sets him apart from playing a socially awkward teen in We're The Millers. Not to mention that his signature, intense eyebrows will do nothing but add to his character's general animosity.
As a third note, Poulter has a refreshing approachable vibe to him. It's how he won over hearts in his previous roles. Warlock is a very complex character, known as an anti-hero — toeing the line between good and evil. The character had many close acquaintances throughout his comic book run, including both Thanos and Gamora, which is what led him to the gauntlet and eventually, accompanying the Guardians of the Galaxy on their ship.
Lastly, Poulter has respect for his new role and this movie. Many actors have expressed strong opinions against starring in superhero movies or they try to "play it cool" when their casting announcements are made. In contrast, Poulter gushed about his new role while on the red carpet after his casting was confirmed. He expressed, "I feel very, very lucky and very honored to [have] been welcomed into the Marvel family."
"Particularly into a franchise like Guardians of the Galaxy, which I regard to be incredibly creative and very, very unique. And James Gunn's someone I really, really admire. So, I feel very lucky," Poulter continued.
So, as a round-up: Poulter is a great actor, is familiar with filming action scenes, and has the looks down — the essentials to being a solid addition to the Marvel team. But, the question still remains: How will Marvel Studios introduce Adam Warlock to the MCU without Thanos?
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is expected to premiere on May 5, 2023.