Lewis Pullman's "Bob" in Thunderbolts: The Sentry Explained

Marvel's upcoming *Thunderbolts* movie continues to pique fans' curiosity, and the latest Big Game trailer offers a tantalizing glimpse, though it keeps the plot under wraps. What it does reveal is a clearer look at Lewis Pullman as Bob, also known as The Sentry. This Superman-esque hero is set to make his MCU debut, and with that comes a mix of anticipation and fear about the havoc he might unleash.

Who is The Sentry, and why is he considered both the Marvel Universe's greatest hero and its worst nightmare? Let's dive into the history of this complex character and explore how he might fit into the Thunderbolts narrative. Here, 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, possibly the most powerful superhero in the Marvel Universe, is also its most dangerous. Originally an ordinary man named Bob Reynolds, he gained immense power after consuming a serum that granted him "the power of a million exploding suns." However, this power has a dark counterpart known as The Void. For every heroic act The Sentry performs, The Void unleashes an equal act of evil. Bob's ongoing battle against his inner darkness and to maintain his sanity is a perpetual struggle, yet when a powerful hero is needed, The Sentry stands unrivaled.

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 forward in time, endowing him with an array of nearly limitless abilities. His strength rivals that of the Hulk and Thor, he can fly and move at incredible speeds, possesses enhanced senses, and is nearly invulnerable. He can also absorb and project energy, enabling feats like energy blasts, teleportation, and calming a rampaging Hulk. As The Void, Bob's powers escalate further, turning him into a shape-shifting, demonic entity capable of controlling weather and infiltrating minds, a force that even the combined might of the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four has struggled to contain.

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 story introduces him as a forgotten hero from the Marvel Universe's past. Even Bob Reynolds, a middle-aged, overweight married man, doesn't remember his former life as "The Golden Guardian of Good." As he regains his memories, The Sentry confronts his nemesis, The Void. Throughout the series, his history with characters like the Hulk and the Fantastic Four is established, and he is retroactively woven into Marvel continuity. It's revealed that The Sentry and The Void are two sides of the same coin, and to protect the world from The Void, the world's memory of The Sentry was erased—a sacrifice Bob must repeat to keep his dark side at bay.

The Sentry As an Avenger

After his initial miniseries, The Sentry became a recurring character in the Marvel Universe. He officially joined the Avengers in 2004's New Avengers, teaming up with Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Luke Cage. As a self-imposed prisoner at The Raft, he intervened in a supervillain jailbreak and reluctantly joined the team. Despite his power, The Sentry's struggle with sanity and The Void continued. During the Civil War, he sided with Iron Man's pro-registration faction, understanding the dangers of unchecked power. He played a crucial role in World War Hulk, but his downfall began during the Dark Reign storyline when Norman Osborn manipulated him into joining the "Dark Avengers." This manipulation culminated in Siege, where The Void was unleashed during an attack on Asgard, leading to The Sentry's death. Subsequent stories have seen him resurrected and killed again, exploring the nature of his powers and the duality of The Sentry and The Void.

How The Sentry Fits Into the Thunderbolts Movie

The Sentry has had limited exposure outside comics, mainly appearing in mobile games like Marvel Puzzle Quest and Marvel Snap. However, Lewis Pullman's casting as The Sentry marks his MCU debut in the Thunderbolts movie, set for 2025. Originally, Steven Yeun was cast but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts after the movie's release was postponed from 2024 following the writers and actors strikes. Pullman will join familiar MCU faces like Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes, Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova, and David Harbour's Red Guardian.

While details about The Sentry's role in Thunderbolts are scarce, his comic history suggests he could start as a team member before turning into a formidable adversary when The Void takes over. The Thunderbolts, lacking significant powers, would face a monumental challenge in confronting The Sentry. Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might exploit The Sentry's power, similar to Norman Osborn's manipulation in the comics, leading to a loss of control. The movie might explore The Sentry's forgotten hero status and his parallels to Superman, adding depth to the MCU narrative.

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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 MCU's future, check out our breakdown of 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.