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

The anticipation surrounding Marvel's upcoming *Thunderbolts* movie continues to grow, especially after the latest Big Game trailer offered a tantalizing glimpse into the film. While the plot remains largely under wraps, fans were treated to a better look at Lewis Pullman as Bob, also known as The Sentry. This Superman-esque hero is set to make his Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debut, and his arrival is something that should both excite and concern fans.

Who is The Sentry, and why does he represent both the Marvel Universe's greatest hero and its worst nightmare? Let's delve into the history of this complex character and explore his potential role in Thunderbolts. Here, we 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, known in his civilian life as Bob Reynolds, is arguably the most powerful and dangerous superhero in the Marvel Universe. Once an ordinary man, Bob consumed a serum that endowed him with "the power of a million exploding suns." However, this immense power comes with a dark counterpart known as The Void. For every heroic act The Sentry performs, The Void responds with an act of evil. Bob's struggle to maintain his sanity and control his darker half is relentless, yet his unparalleled strength makes him an invaluable ally when the world is in peril.

The Sentry’s Powers and Abilities

The Sentry's abilities derive from an experimental serum developed post-World War II as a potential Super Soldier Serum substitute. This serum accelerates his molecules forward in time, granting him an extensive range of powers. As The Sentry, Bob possesses superhuman strength rivaling that of Hulk and Thor, along with flight, incredible speed, enhanced senses, and near invulnerability. He can absorb and project energy, enabling feats such as energy blasts, teleportation, and even calming the rampaging Hulk. In his darker form, The Void, Bob becomes even more formidable, capable of shape-shifting, controlling the weather, and invading minds. The Void has withstood assaults from the combined forces of the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four, proving its resilience even against being thrown into the sun.

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

The Sentry was introduced by Paul Jenkins, Rick Veitch, and Jae Lee in the 2000 miniseries The Sentry. The story presents him as a forgotten hero from the Marvel Universe's past, with even Bob Reynolds himself unaware of his heroic alter-ego. Upon regaining his memories, Bob becomes The Sentry once more, only to find that his nemesis, The Void, has also returned. The series establishes The Sentry's connections with other Marvel characters and integrates him into the universe's history. It's revealed that The Sentry and The Void are two sides of the same coin, and to protect the world from The Void's wrath, the collective memory of The Sentry was erased. Bob repeats this act to keep his dark side at bay, leaving ambiguity about his own awareness of his dual nature.

The Sentry As an Avenger

Following his debut, The Sentry became a recurring character in the Marvel Universe. In 2004's New Avengers, he officially joined Earth's Mightiest Heroes, including Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Luke Cage. Initially a self-imposed prisoner on The Raft, The Sentry intervenes during a massive supervillain jailbreak and reluctantly becomes part of 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 2007's World War Hulk, helping protect the world from the Hulk's rampage. However, his downfall begins during Marvel's 2009 Dark Reign, where Norman Osborn manipulates him into joining the "Dark Avengers." The Void is eventually unleashed during 2010's Siege, leading to The Sentry's death in the battle against Asgard. Subsequent stories have seen The Sentry resurrected and killed again, with the 2023 The Sentry series exploring the power's search for a new host.

How The Sentry Fits Into the Thunderbolts Movie

The Sentry's journey to the MCU has been limited to mobile games like Marvel Puzzle Quest, Marvel Future Fight, and Marvel Snap until now. Lewis Pullman steps into the role of The Golden Guardian of Good, replacing Steven Yeun, who had to bow out due to scheduling conflicts following the movie's delay from the 2024 release slate amidst the writers and actors strikes. Thunderbolts, set for release in May 2025, will feature Pullman alongside familiar MCU stars 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 book history suggests a narrative that highlights his dual nature as both hero and villain. It's possible that The Sentry starts as a member of the Thunderbolts, only to become their greatest threat when he loses control. The film may position Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in a role akin to Norman Osborn's in the Dark Avengers, aiming to exploit The Sentry's power but struggling to maintain control over him. If Thunderbolts mirrors Suicide Squad, The Sentry could be the film's equivalent to the Enchantress, a powerful yet unstable force.

It remains to be seen whether the MCU will explore The Sentry's forgotten hero status and his deep connections within the superhero community. Will he be retroactively established as a significant figure in the MCU's past? And how will the film address The Sentry's parallels to DC's Superman? As we approach the release of Thunderbolts, more details will undoubtedly emerge.

For more insights into the MCU's future, check out our comprehensive analysis of the Deadpool & Wolverine ending and a rundown of all upcoming Marvel movies and shows.

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