Marvel's upcoming Thunderbolts* movie continues to intrigue fans, and the latest Big Game trailer has provided a fresh glimpse into this MCU team-up. While the plot remains largely under wraps, the trailer does offer a better look at Lewis Pullman as Bob, aka The Sentry. This Superman-esque hero is making his MCU debut, and with it comes a world of both awe and fear.
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 the history of this complex and mentally unstable hero and explore how he might fit into the plot of Thunderbolts*. Here, we 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
Marvel Cinematic Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show
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Who Is Lewis Pullman’s Thunderbolts* Character The Sentry?
The Sentry, portrayed by Lewis Pullman, is arguably the most powerful and dangerous superhero in the Marvel Universe. Once an ordinary man named Bob Reynolds, he gained his extraordinary abilities from a serum that bestowed upon him "the power of a million exploding suns." However, this immense power comes with a dark side known as The Void. For every heroic act The Sentry performs, The Void counters with an evil deed. Bob's constant battle against his inner darkness and struggle to maintain his sanity make him a double-edged sword in the world of superheroes.
The Sentry’s Powers and Abilities
The Sentry's powers originate from an experimental serum, a potential replacement for the Super Soldier Serum developed after World War II. This serum accelerates his molecules an instant forward in time, granting him an array of nearly limitless abilities. His strength rivals that of the Hulk and Thor, and he can fly, move at incredible speeds, and has enhanced senses. He's practically invulnerable and can absorb and project energy, enabling him to perform feats like firing energy blasts, teleporting, and even pacifying the Hulk. As The Void, Bob's powers are even more formidable and dangerous, allowing him to control the weather, infest minds, and withstand 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
Created by Paul Jenkins, Rick Veitch, and Jae Lee, The Sentry debuted in the 2000 miniseries of the same name. The series portrays him as a forgotten hero from the Marvel Universe's past, whose existence was erased from collective memory to protect the world from The Void. Bob Reynolds, a middle-aged, overweight married man, regains his memories and becomes The Sentry once again, only to find that his nemesis, The Void, has also returned. The series establishes his history with other heroes and retroactively inserts him into Marvel continuity, leaving readers to ponder whether Bob truly forgets his dual identity.
The Sentry As an Avenger
After his initial miniseries, The Sentry became a recurring character in the Marvel Universe, officially joining the New Avengers in 2004. He played a crucial role in stopping a massive supervillain jailbreak and joined the team, though he constantly battled to keep The Void at bay. During the Civil War, he sided with Iron Man's pro-registration faction, understanding the dangers of unchecked power. He was vital in World War Hulk and later manipulated by Norman Osborn into joining the Dark Avengers during Dark Reign. The Sentry's story culminated in Siege, where he was ultimately killed, though he has since been resurrected and killed again, with new stories exploring the nature of his powers and the duality of his existence.
How The Sentry Fits Into the Thunderbolts* Movie
The Sentry, previously seen in mobile games like Marvel Puzzle Quest and Marvel Snap, is set to make his MCU debut in the 2025 Thunderbolts* movie, with Lewis Pullman stepping into the role after Steven Yeun had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts following the movie's delay from the 2024 release slate. The film, featuring familiar MCU faces like Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, and David Harbour’s Red Guardian, will likely explore The Sentry's dual nature as both a powerful hero and a terrifying villain. It remains to be seen whether he starts as a member of the Thunderbolts or becomes their adversary when he loses control. Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might play a role similar to Norman Osborn, attempting to exploit The Sentry's power, only to lose control over him. The movie could also delve into The Sentry's forgotten hero status and his parallels to DC's Superman.
The Thunderbolts: The Tumultuous History of Marvel's Twisted Super-Team
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As we approach the May 2025 release of Thunderbolts*, more details will emerge about The Sentry's role and the film's plot. 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 in development.
Note: this article was originally published on November 17, 2023 and updated on September 23, 2024 with the latest information about Thunderbolts*.
