The anticipation surrounding Marvel's upcoming *Thunderbolts* movie continues to grow, especially after the latest Big Game trailer provided a glimpse into the film. While the plot remains under wraps, we got a better look at Lewis Pullman as Bob, aka The Sentry. This powerful, Superman-like hero is making his MCU debut, and his arrival could spell both salvation and doom for the Marvel Universe.
Who exactly is The Sentry, and why is he considered both the greatest hero and the worst nightmare in the Marvel Universe? Let's delve into his complex history and explore how he might impact the *Thunderbolts* storyline. Here's what we'll cover:
Who Is Lewis Pullman’s Thunderbolts Character The Sentry?
The Sentry’s Powers and Abilities
The Sentry’s Secret Origin
The Sentry As an Avenger
How The Sentry Fits Into the Thunderbolts Movie
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Who Is Lewis Pullman’s Thunderbolts Character The Sentry?
The Sentry, portrayed by Lewis Pullman, is one of the most powerful and dangerous superheroes in the Marvel Universe. Originally an ordinary man named Bob Reynolds, he gained his extraordinary powers after consuming a serum that granted him "the power of a million exploding suns." However, this immense power comes with a dark side—Bob's alter ego, The Void, embodies his inner darkness and performs evil acts that counterbalance his heroic deeds. The Sentry's battle against his own psyche is a constant struggle, yet his immense strength makes him an invaluable asset in times of crisis.
The Sentry’s Powers and Abilities
The Sentry's powers derive from an experimental serum, a potential replacement for the Super Soldier Serum post-World War II. This serum accelerates his molecules, granting him near-limitless abilities. As The Sentry, Bob boasts strength comparable to the Hulk and Thor, the ability to fly at incredible speeds, enhanced senses, and near invulnerability. He can absorb and project energy, enabling feats like energy blasts, teleportation, and even pacifying the Hulk. As The Void, his powers are even more formidable and dangerous, capable of controlling weather, mind manipulation, and resisting the combined might of the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four.
The Sentry Cheat Sheet
First Appearance: The Sentry #1 (2000)
Creators: Paul Jenkins, Rick Veitch, & Jae Lee
Aliases: The Void, Golden Man, The Golden Guardian of Good
Current Team: None (formerly New Avengers, Mighty Avengers, Dark Avengers)
Recommended Reading: The Sentry Vol. 1, Age of the Sentry, Dark Avengers, Siege
The Sentry’s Secret Origin
The Sentry was created by Paul Jenkins, Rick Veitch, and Jae Lee, debuting in the 2000 miniseries The Sentry. The series introduces him as a forgotten hero from the Marvel Universe's past, with even Bob Reynolds himself unaware of his former identity as "The Golden Guardian of Good." As Bob regains his memories and transforms back into The Sentry, he also reawakens his nemesis, The Void. The series reveals that The Sentry and The Void are two sides of the same coin, and to protect the world from The Void, Bob's existence was erased from collective memory. He ultimately repeats this act to keep his dark side in check, leaving it ambiguous whether he himself forgets his dual nature.
Art by Bryan Hitch. (Image Credit: Marvel)
The Sentry As an Avenger
After his self-contained origin story, The Sentry became a recurring character in the Marvel Universe, officially joining the New Avengers in 2004. Initially a self-imposed prisoner on The Raft, he intervenes during a massive supervillain jailbreak and reluctantly joins the team. Despite his power, The Sentry struggles with his sanity and the constant threat of The Void. During the Civil War, he sides with Iron Man's pro-registration faction, understanding the dangers of unchecked power. He plays a crucial role in World War Hulk, but his downfall begins with Dark Reign when Norman Osborn manipulates him into joining the Dark Avengers. This leads to the catastrophic Siege event, where The Sentry's life is sacrificed to save Asgard. Since then, The Sentry has been resurrected and killed multiple times, with recent stories exploring the nature of his powers and the duality of his existence.
Art by Olivier Coipel. (Image Credit: Marvel)
How The Sentry Fits Into the Thunderbolts Movie
The Sentry's presence in the MCU has been limited to mobile games until now, with Lewis Pullman stepping into the role previously held by Steven Yeun, who had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts following delays from the 2024 release slate. Pullman's debut as The Sentry in the 2025 Thunderbolts film alongside MCU veterans like Sebastian Stan, Florence Pugh, and David Harbour marks a significant moment. While the exact role of The Sentry remains unclear, his comic book history suggests he could start as a team member before turning into the Thunderbolts' greatest threat. Given the team's relatively less powerful lineup, confronting The Sentry would be a monumental challenge.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ character, Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, might attempt to harness The Sentry's power, echoing Norman Osborn's manipulation in the Dark Avengers. The film could explore The Sentry's forgotten past and his parallels to Superman, adding layers to his character and the MCU narrative. As we approach the May 2025 release, more details will emerge about how The Sentry will impact the Thunderbolts.
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For more on the future of the MCU, check out our breakdown of the ending to Deadpool & Wolverine and see all the Marvel movies and shows currently in development.
Note: this article was originally published on November 17, 2023 and updated on September 23, 2024 with the latest information about Thunderbolts.
