Adam Warlock"s Shocking MCU Villain Future Secretly Teased By Guardians Of The Galaxy 3

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Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3!
Adam Warlock's villain future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was secretly set up in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. It took years for the MCU to pay off Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2's post-credits tease that Adam Warlock was coming to the franchise. Will Poulter brings the powerful member of the Sovereign to life to close out the trilogy. Adam Warlock's role is smaller than anticipated for a character of such importance in the comics, as he is a secondary villain serving High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji) before turning to become a hero after his mother became one of the characters who die in Guardians of the Galaxy 3.
Based on Adam Warlock's heroic turn in the movie's climax, it makes sense to think that he is going to be a major cosmic hero in the MCU's future. He has used his incredible powers to save the universe multiple times in the comics, so his trajectory in the franchise will potentially follow a similar course. This does appear to be what Marvel Studios' initial plans for the character include considering Guardians of the Galaxy 3's post-credits scenes show Adam Warlock as part of Rocket's new Guardians of the Galaxy team. However, the movie also teased Adam Warlock's MCU villain future before this turn.
Guardians of the Galaxy 3 Reveals Something Is Wrong With Adam Warlock

Adam Warlock's portrayal in Guardians of the Galaxy 3 caught plenty off guard since he acted like a child throughout, even though he was created to be the Sovereign's Warlock. The reason for the change in his personality is explained by Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki) as she says it is the result of him being taken out of his birth pod early. Guardians of the Galaxy 3 also revealed that High Evolutionary was responsible for creating the Sovereign. This gives him a greater understanding of the powerful race and makes him even more critical of this Warlock.
Guardians of the Galaxy 3 includes a specific line that hints at Adam Warlock's MCU villain future through High Evolutionary's examination of him. High Evolutionary's critiques of Warlock include him saying, "No, there's something wrong with him even outside all that." The end of his sentence refers to Adam Warlock being removed from his cocoon too early. But, the tease that High Evolutionary notices something else is wrong with Adam Warlock could be quite telling. Even if it is not explicitly stated, High Evolutionary is likely referring to Adam Warlock's villain persona emerging in the MCU.
High Evolutionary’s Hint Could Be About Warlock Becoming Magus

This moment appears to be an early way for Marvel to tease Adam Warlock's MCU villain future as Magus. In the comics, the evil Adam Warlock known as Magus has been created in a few different ways. Originally, Magus was an evil version of Adam Warlock from another universe who became a villain after being corrupted by the Soul Stone. Adam Warlock later accidentally created a new Magus when he gained control of the Infinity Stones and used them to try and purge himself of all good and evil in his being. This allowed the evil side of him to manifest as a separate entity known as Magus.
It is possible that High Evolutionary already senses the possibility that Adam Warlock's good and evil selves will split in two. Magus' emergence will not involve the Infinity Stones thanks to their destruction in the MCU, while using the multiverse to introduce him would fit the larger Multiverse Saga narrative potentially. However, it would be simpler for Marvel Studios to explain Adam Warlock's MCU villain future after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 as a consequence of an improper creation or an error on High Evolutionary's part in creating the Sovereign.
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