Sentry Revealed: Lewis Pullman's "Bob" Unveiled in "Thunderbolts"

Marvel's upcoming Thunderbolts film remains enigmatic, but a recent Big Game trailer offers a glimpse into the MCU team-up. While plot details remain scarce, the trailer provides a clearer look at Lewis Pullman as Bob, a.k.a. The Sentry. This Superman-esque hero's MCU debut promises significant ramifications.

Who is The Sentry, and why is he both the Marvel Universe's greatest champion and its most terrifying threat? Let's delve into the history of this mentally unstable hero and explore his potential role in Thunderbolts.

Who Is Lewis Pullman's Thunderbolts Character, The Sentry?

The Sentry is arguably the Marvel Universe's most potent, yet perilous, superhero. Once an ordinary man, Bob Reynolds, he consumed a serum granting him "the power of a million exploding suns." This power, however, comes at a steep price: a dark alter ego known as The Void. For every heroic act, The Void commits an equally evil deed. Bob Reynolds' struggle against his inner demons is a constant, losing battle. Yet, when extraordinary strength is needed, The Sentry is unparalleled.

The Sentry's Powers and Abilities

The Sentry's abilities originate from an experimental serum, a potential Super Soldier Serum replacement developed post-World War II. The serum supposedly accelerates his molecules forward in time, resulting in near-limitless powers.

The Sentry possesses strength rivaling Hulk and Thor, can fly at incredible speeds, boasts enhanced senses, and is virtually invulnerable. He can absorb and project energy, enabling feats like energy blasts, teleportation, and subduing a raging Hulk. His power set makes him Marvel's equivalent to Superman.

The Void, however, is arguably even more formidable. A shape-shifting, demonic entity, The Void controls weather, invades minds, and has withstood the combined might of the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four; even solar confinement proves only 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 The Sentry miniseries. Initially presented as a forgotten hero, even Bob Reynolds—a middle-aged, overweight man—had no memory of his past as "The Golden Guardian of Good."

Upon regaining his memories, The Sentry confronts The Void's return. His history with figures like Hulk and the Fantastic Four is revealed, retroactively integrating him into Marvel continuity.

The Sentry and The Void are revealed as two sides of the same coin. The world's collective memory of The Sentry was erased to protect it from The Void. Bob repeats this act to contain his dark side, ambiguously leaving his own memory of his dual identities uncertain.

The Sentry As an Avenger

While the original The Sentry miniseries was self-contained, the character later became a recurring figure in the Marvel Universe. He joined the New Avengers in 2004, alongside Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Luke Cage.

Initially a self-imposed prisoner, The Sentry intervenes in a supervillain jailbreak and reluctantly joins the team. Despite his power, he struggles to maintain sanity and control The Void.

During the events of Civil War (2006), The Sentry sides with Iron Man's pro-registration faction, understanding the dangers of unchecked power. He plays a crucial role in combating Hulk's rampage in World War Hulk (2007).

His downfall begins in Dark Reign (2009), where Norman Osborn manipulates him into joining the "Dark Avengers." Osborn's gamble to control The Sentry fails, unleashing The Void in Siege (2010). The Sentry's death follows, though subsequent resurrections and deaths, along with new stories, continue to explore his powers and the true nature of his dual identities. He was killed again in 2020's King in Black. Marvel's 2023 The Sentry series explores a new host for The Sentry's power.

How The Sentry Fits Into the Thunderbolts Movie

The Sentry's appearances outside comics have been limited to mobile games. However, Lewis Pullman's casting marks his MCU debut.

While not starring in a solo film (yet), Pullman's Sentry will appear in 2025's Thunderbolts, alongside Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and Red Guardian.

His precise role remains unclear, but his comic book history suggests a portrayal as both hero and villain. Will he initially be a Thunderbolts member, only to become their greatest threat? Given the team's relatively limited powers, confronting The Sentry would be a monumental challenge.

The MCU might adapt Norman Osborn's manipulative role from Dark Avengers, with Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine exploiting The Sentry's power, only to lose control. If Thunderbolts mirrors Suicide Squad, The Sentry could be the film's Enchantress equivalent.

Whether the MCU will explore The Sentry's forgotten past and ties to other heroes, and how closely it will mirror DC's Superman, remains to be seen. More details will emerge closer to Thunderbolts's May 2025 release.

Note: this article was originally published on November 17, 2023 and updated on September 23, 2024 with the latest information about Thunderbolts.