Marvel's upcoming Thunderbolts movie remains shrouded in mystery, but a recent Big Game trailer offered a glimpse into the film. While plot details remain scarce, the trailer provides a clearer look at Lewis Pullman as Bob, aka The Sentry. This Superman-esque hero's MCU debut promises significant consequences.
Who is The Sentry, and why is he both the Marvel Universe's greatest hero and its worst nightmare? Let's delve into this mentally unstable hero's history 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 powerful, and most dangerous, superhero. Once an ordinary man named Bob Reynolds, he consumed a serum granting him "the power of a million exploding suns." This immense power comes at a terrible cost: a dark alter ego known as The Void. For every good deed The Sentry performs, The Void commits an evil one. Bob Reynolds' battle against his inner darkness is a constant, losing struggle. Yet, when a powerful hero is needed, none are better suited than The Sentry.
The Sentry’s Powers and Abilities
The Sentry's powers originate from an experimental serum, a potential Super Soldier Serum replacement developed after World War II. The serum supposedly accelerates his molecules forward in time, resulting in near-limitless abilities. His strength rivals the Hulk and Thor; he can fly at incredible speeds, possesses enhanced senses, and is virtually invulnerable. He can also absorb and project energy, enabling feats like energy blasts, teleportation, and subduing the Hulk. In terms of power, The Sentry is Marvel's answer to Superman.
As The Void, Bob is arguably even more powerful and dangerous. This shape-shifting, demonic entity controls weather, infests minds, and has withstood the combined might of the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four. Even being thrown into the sun proved 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. The series introduces him as a forgotten hero from the Marvel Universe's past, even to Bob Reynolds himself—a middle-aged, overweight man who doesn't remember his heroic past as "The Golden Guardian of Good."
Bob regains his memories and becomes The Sentry, only to discover The Void's return. The series establishes his history with characters like the Hulk and Fantastic Four, retroactively inserting him into Marvel continuity. Ultimately, The Sentry and The Void are revealed as two sides of the same coin. The world forgot The Sentry to protect itself from The Void. Bob repeats this act to control his dark side, erasing the world's memory of The Sentry, though his own memory remains ambiguous.
The Sentry As an Avenger
While initially a self-contained story, The Sentry became a recurring Marvel character. He joined the New Avengers in 2004, alongside Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Luke Cage. Despite being a powerful asset, he struggled to maintain his sanity and control The Void. During the Civil War, he sided with Iron Man's pro-registration faction and played a crucial role in stopping the Hulk in World War Hulk.
His downfall began in Dark Reign (2009), joining Norman Osborn's "Dark Avengers." Osborn's manipulation proved unsuccessful, unleashing The Void in Siege (2010). The Sentry's death followed, but subsequent resurrections and deaths have continued to explore his powers and the nature of his duality. His most recent death occurred in 2020's King in Black, with 2023's The Sentry series exploring a new host for his power.
How The Sentry Fits Into the Thunderbolts Movie
The Sentry's MCU debut in Thunderbolts, with Lewis Pullman in the role, marks a significant shift from his limited appearances in mobile games. Originally cast as Sentry, Steven Yeun had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts caused by the movie's delay. The film will feature familiar faces like Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and Red Guardian.
The Sentry's exact role remains unclear, but his comic book history suggests a blend of hero and villain. He might start as a member, only to become the team's greatest threat. Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine's role might mirror Norman Osborn's in Dark Avengers, exploiting The Sentry's power before losing control. The Sentry could serve as the film's equivalent of Suicide Squad's Enchantress.
Whether the MCU will explore The Sentry's forgotten past and his ties to other heroes remains to be seen. The film's portrayal of The Sentry as a twisted Superman analogue is also a point of anticipation. More details will emerge as the May 2025 release date approaches.
Note: This article was originally published on November 17, 2023, and updated on September 23, 2024, with the latest information about Thunderbolts.
