Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3: The High Evolutionary Explained 

The High Evolutionary is probably one of the cruelest villains we’ve seen in the MCU so far. He’s ruthless and merciless; and what’s even worse is that even after all the damage he’s done, he believes he’s making the universe better.

The High Evolutionary’s introduction into the MCU was crucial for understanding Rocket’s backstory. It also tells us that the villains in Phase V are getting much more dangerous and powerful.

So what do we know about this villain?

The High Evolutionary is a mad scientist who is hellbent on creating the perfect animal-humanoid species. 

In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3, he tracks down Rocket to capture him because Rocket was his most successful experiment who escaped from his lab a long time ago. 

There are a few changes from the Marvel Comics iteration of the character with respect to his origin, but his motives and powers are basically the same.

1. Who is the High Evolutionary?

The High Evolutionary is a geneticist who carries out unethical experiments on young animals and other creatures to make them smarter and more advanced than regular humans. He intends to create the perfect society. 

In the comics, the High Evolutionary was initially human but after he started conducting experiments on himself, he became a more evolved creature. 

In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3, there is no mention of him ever being human in the past. At one point, he also talks about visiting earth for the first time thus implying he never actually spent time there.

Like Gamora says, many aliens in the galaxy consider the High Evolutionary their superior so he’s been in space for a very long period and has become quite influential over time.

As a part of his experiments, the High Evolutionary creates Rocket. He trains Rocket to be extremely intelligent and self-aware up to the point that Rocket even surpasses him intellectually.

When Rocket helps the High Evolutionary solve the biggest problem in one of his experiments, it fills him with rage because he is unable to accept the fact that his own specimen saw something that he didn’t. 

The scientist then tells Rocket that he will take Rocket’s brain and that the rest of him will no longer be of any use. But before the High Evolutionary can execute his plan, Rocket escapes.

2. What is the High Evolutionary’s plan?

The High Evolutionary’s plan is to create a better planet that will not have any of the flaws present on Earth and will be inhabited only by the most evolved and perfect species. 

His idea of this planet is what he calls “Counter-Earth”. However, none of the subjects on the planet, or any of his subjects after Rocket for that matter, ever came close to being as smart as Rocket. And it is this fact that continues to bother him.

In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3, the High Evolutionary finally manages to track Rocket’s location, after what seems to be many years. He still wants to extract Rocket’s brain so that he can study it and understand what is missing from the brains of the rest of his experiments.

Once the High Evolutionary’s workers get a hold of Rocket, he blows up the entire planet of “Counter-Earth” along with all its denizens. His plan is to now move on to his next batch of experiments whose brains he will advance with the help of Rocket’s.

3. How strong is the High Evolutionary?

The High Evolutionary’s greatest strength is his vast knowledge of science, specifically genetics. His high intelligence leads him to develop not just his revolutionary animal-humanoids, but also the Sovereigns, including their leader Ayesha, and indirectly Adam Warlock.

He has also invented the technology to create lethal weapons and entire planets, which is no small feat.

In Marvel Comics, the High Evolutionary’s transformation from human scientist to superior being with God-like powers is explained when he starts conducting evolutionary experiments on himself after being attacked by one of his own creations, “New Men”.

This is very similar to the events of GOTG Vol.3 because the High Evolutionary is violently attacked by one of his creatures i.e., Rocket who seriously damages his face. 

When we meet the High Evolutionary in present day, he has powers that he wasn’t exhibiting before and which he could have otherwise used to defend himself when Rocket first attacked him.

Like the comic book version, the High Evolutionary has abilities like telekinesis and telepathy. He can blast large amounts of energy from his hands and his suit gives him increased durability and strength.

Evidence of the High Evolutionary’s God-like powers in GOTG Vol.3 can be seen when he blows up the entire control room and all the people in it while simultaneously destroying the spaceship’s controls and shattering its glasses. 

In the final battle against Rocket as well, he is able to throw Rocket from wall to wall and onto the ceiling quite effortlessly. 

Fortunately, the High Evolutionary’s powers were no match for the Guardians. Together, with their weapons and respective strengths, the Guardians take down the High Evolutionary and leave him on his burning spaceship while he’s still fatally wounded.

The Guardians refrain from killing the High Evolutionary themselves because it goes against their beliefs. But when the High Evolutionary’s spaceship explodes with him in it, we’re meant to believe that he’s finally dead.

Although, it’s quite possible that the High Evolutionary’s powers helped him escape somehow or that he already had a backup plan in case things went south. But we can’t be too sure about that either.

Whether dead or not, the High Evolutionary truly is a force to be reckoned with. If Marvel decides to bring him back in the future, it’s certainly not going to be easy to take him down the second time. 

4. About Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is an upcoming American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

The High Evolutionary, Rocket’s creator, emerges to reclaim his creation threatening to destroy the Guardians to get what he wants. Star-Lord must lead his team and protect one of their own while dealing with his emotional turmoil over Gamora. The stakes are even higher as Adam Warlock hunts the team on the orders of The Sovereign’s leader, Ayesha.

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 is set to hit theaters on May 5, 2023. Previous cast members will reprise their roles, including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Karen Gillan, Sean Gunn, and Pom Klementieff. Will Poulter and Chukwudi Iwuji will join the cast as Adam Warlock and The High Evolutionary.