Lewis Pullman's "Bob" in Thunderbolts: Unveiling Marvel's Sentry

Marvel's upcoming *Thunderbolts* movie continues to intrigue fans, with the latest Big Game trailer offering a fresh glimpse. While the plot remains largely under wraps, the trailer does provide a clearer view of Lewis Pullman as Bob, aka The Sentry. This Superman-esque hero is set to make his MCU debut, and his arrival is something the entire world should be wary of.

Who is The Sentry, and why is he considered both the Marvel Universe's greatest hero and its worst nightmare? Let's delve into the history of this mentally unstable hero and explore how he might fit into the *Thunderbolts* narrative. Here are the key topics we'll cover:

Who Is Lewis Pullman’s Thunderbolts Character The Sentry?The Sentry’s Powers and AbilitiesThe Sentry’s Secret OriginThe Sentry As an AvengerHow 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 arguably the most powerful and dangerous superhero in the Marvel Universe. Originally an ordinary man named Bob Reynolds, he gained his extraordinary abilities after consuming a serum that granted 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, making Bob's struggle to maintain his sanity a constant battle. Despite this, when the world needs a powerful hero, The Sentry is unparalleled.

The Sentry’s Powers and Abilities

The Sentry's powers originate from an experimental serum developed post-World War II as a potential Super Soldier Serum replacement. This serum accelerates his molecules an instant forward in time, endowing him with an array of nearly limitless powers. As The Sentry, Bob possesses strength comparable to the Hulk and Thor, can fly at incredible speeds, has enhanced senses, and is nearly invulnerable. He can also absorb and project energy, enabling feats like energy blasts, teleportation, and even calming a rampaging Hulk. In essence, The Sentry is Marvel's answer to Superman.

As The Void, Bob's powers become even more formidable and dangerous. The Void is a shape-shifting, demonic entity capable of controlling the weather, infesting minds, and withstanding the combined might of the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four. Even throwing it into the sun has only been a temporary solution.

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 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 discovers that his nemesis, The Void, has also returned. Throughout the series, The Sentry's interactions with characters like the Hulk and the Fantastic Four are established, retroactively inserting him into Marvel's continuity.

The narrative reveals that The Sentry and The Void are two sides of the same coin. To protect the world from The Void's wrath, the world was made to forget The Sentry. Bob eventually realizes he must repeat this act to keep his dark side in check, though it remains ambiguous whether he himself forgets his dual identity.

The Sentry As an Avenger

The Sentry's role expanded beyond the initial miniseries, becoming a recurring figure in the Marvel Universe. He officially joined the Avengers in 2004's New Avengers, alongside Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Luke Cage. Initially a self-imposed prisoner at The Raft, The Sentry intervenes during a massive supervillain jailbreak and reluctantly joins the team. Despite his immense power, he constantly battles to maintain his sanity and control The Void.

During the 2006 Civil War, The Sentry aligns with Iron Man's pro-registration faction, understanding the dangers of unchecked power. He plays a crucial role in World War Hulk in 2007, protecting the world from the Hulk's wrath. However, his downfall begins with 2009's Dark Reign, where Norman Osborn manipulates him into joining the "Dark Avengers." Osborn's control over The Sentry fails, leading to the unleashing of The Void during 2010's Siege, where Osborn attacks Asgard. The true Avengers, led by Steve Rogers, ultimately save the day, but at the cost of The Sentry's life.

In subsequent years, The Sentry has been resurrected and killed multiple times, with stories exploring the nature of his powers and the duality of The Sentry and The Void. The 2023 The Sentry series delves into what happens when The Sentry's power seeks a new host, raising questions about who will become the next Sentry and whether they will also bear the burden of The Void.

How The Sentry Fits Into the Thunderbolts Movie

The Sentry has had limited exposure outside of Marvel's comics, appearing in mobile games like Marvel Puzzle Quest, Marvel Future Fight, and Marvel Snap. However, Lewis Pullman's casting as The Sentry marks his entry into the MCU. Originally, Steven Yeun was set to play The Sentry, but scheduling conflicts following the movie's delay from the 2024 release slate led to Pullman taking the role.

Pullman will debut as The Sentry in the 2025 Thunderbolts movie, alongside familiar MCU characters like Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes, Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova, and David Harbour's Red Guardian. While the exact role of The Sentry in Thunderbolts remains unclear, his comic book history suggests he could start as a member of the team, only to become their greatest threat when he loses control. Given the Thunderbolts' relatively less powerful roster, confronting The Sentry would be a significant challenge.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might play a role similar to Norman Osborn in the Dark Avengers comics, seeing Bob Reynolds as a powerful asset to exploit. If Thunderbolts is Marvel's version of Suicide Squad, The Sentry could be akin to the Enchantress character.

It's uncertain whether the MCU will explore The Sentry's backstory as a forgotten hero with deep ties to the superhero community or how much it will emphasize his parallels to DC's Superman. As we approach the May 2025 release of Thunderbolts, more details will likely emerge.

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.