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Zac Efron was rumored to be in 'Guardians of the Galaxy 3' until director James Gunn weighed in.

The 'Guardians Of The Galaxy 3' Director Addressed Those Zac Efron Casting Rumors

by Dylan Kickham
Marvel

Marvel fans have long been awaiting the big-screen arrival of the iconic comic book hero Adam Warlock. Lately, the big rumor surrounding the character is that Zac Efron will play him in Guardians of the Galaxy 3. However, on March 9, the film's director, James Gunn, addressed this casting speculation for the first time on Twitter... and it doesn't sound too likely.

After being teased in the Guardians of the Galaxy 2 post-credits scene, Adam Warlock is pretty much confirmed to be making his big-screen debut in the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. In that ending scene, Sovereign High Priestess Ayesha showed off a chamber containing an artificial being named Adam. In the comics, Adam Warlock as been a pivotal part of Marvel's cosmic stories since the '60s, given his unique ability to continually rebirth himself in a regenerative cocoon.

Since that telling Guardians scene, fans have been trying to guess who might play Adam in the next movie, and the top choice among fans is Zac Efron. The ongoing fan-casting of Efron has led to persistent rumors he'll play the part, including a recent claim by fandom site The Illuminerdi that casting for Guardians 3 is specifically looking for "a Zac Efron type" to play Adam.

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Director James Gunn completely shut down those rumors, though, directly responding to the report on Twitter to confirm casting has not yet begun for Guardians 3. Gunn also pointed out Adam Warlock does not need to be played by a "Caucasian man," as the report claimed, namely because Adam has gold skin in the comics.

Gunn's response still left some room for the possibility that Efron could play Adam, but it's clear that casting decision is a long way from being finalized. Production on the third Guardians of the Galaxy movie will begin in London later in 2021, with the film slated for release in 2023 as a part of Marvel's Phase 4. Whoever winds up playing Adam Warlock, fans can expect the character to totally shake up the MCU, so get ready for his arrival.