Will Poulter to play Adam Warlock in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

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Adam Warlock is finally coming out of his shell.

Will Poulter — known for starring in We're the Millers and Midsommar — has joined the cast of the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, landing the long-teased role of Adam Warlock. Returning director James Gunn confirmed the news on Twitter, calling Poulter "an amazing actor and wonderful guy" and welcoming him "to the Guardians family."

Gunn first teased Warlock's arrival to the Marvel Cinematic Universe back in 2017, during an end-credits scene for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. It was then that Sovereign leader Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki, decked out in gold makeup) created the being she named "Adam," calling him "the next step in our evolution — more powerful, more beautiful, more capable of destroying the Guardians of the Galaxy."

Will Poulter
Will Poulter

Amy Sussman/Getty Images Will Poulter

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby first introduced an early version of the character in the comics in the late 1960s, and over the years, Adam's role grew, until he became a key player in various Marvel plot lines. He's an idealized, godlike being with immense power, and it remains to be seen how he'll fit into the Guardians universe: Gunn has been tight-lipped about what to expect from the third Guardians movie, but familiar cast members Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Karen Gillan, and Pom Klementieff are expected to return. (The Guardians will also return in a holiday special, which will premiere on Disney+ in December 2022.)

Gunn is writing and directing Vol. 3, which is expected to start shooting later this year and will hit theaters May 5, 2023.

Deadline first reported Poulter's casting.

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