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

Marvel's upcoming *Thunderbolts* movie remains a tantalizing mystery, but fans got another glimpse thanks to the latest Big Game trailer. While it doesn't spill much on the plot of this MCU team-up, it offers a clearer view of Lewis Pullman as Bob, aka The Sentry. This Superman-esque hero is finally making his MCU debut, and with it comes a thrilling mix of excitement and fear for what's to come.

Who is The Sentry, and why is he 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 may fit into the plot of *Thunderbolts*. 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, portrayed by Lewis Pullman, is potentially the most powerful yet dangerous superhero in the Marvel Universe. Originally an ordinary man named Bob Reynolds, he gained "the power of a million exploding suns" from a serum. However, this immense power comes with a dark side: The Void, a malevolent alter ego that counteracts every good deed The Sentry performs with an evil act. Bob's constant battle against The Void and his own sanity makes him a formidable yet unpredictable hero.

The Sentry’s Powers and Abilities

The Sentry's powers derive from an experimental serum, designed as a potential replacement for the Super Soldier Serum. This serum accelerates his molecules an instant forward in time, granting him an array of almost limitless abilities. As The Sentry, Bob boasts strength comparable to the Hulk and Thor, along with flight, super-speed, enhanced senses, and near-invulnerability. He can absorb and project energy, enabling feats like energy blasts, teleportation, and calming a rampaging Hulk. The Void, on the other hand, is even more powerful, capable of shape-shifting, controlling the weather, and even withstanding the combined might of the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four.

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 2000's *The Sentry* miniseries. The story introduces him as a forgotten hero, with even Bob Reynolds himself unaware of his past as "The Golden Guardian of Good." As Bob regains his memories, he confronts The Void, his sworn enemy. The series establishes his history with characters like Hulk and the Fantastic Four, retroactively inserting The Sentry into Marvel continuity. Ultimately, it's revealed that The Sentry and The Void are two sides of the same coin, with the world made to forget The Sentry to protect it from The Void's wrath. Bob must erase the world's memory again to contain his dark side, leaving ambiguity about whether he truly forgets his dual identity.

The Sentry As an Avenger

After his debut, The Sentry became a recurring character in the Marvel Universe, officially joining the New Avengers in 2004. He emerged as a self-imposed prisoner on The Raft, intervening in a supervillain jailbreak and subsequently joining the team. Despite his power, The Sentry struggled to keep The Void at bay. 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 with Norman Osborn's Dark Reign, where he was manipulated into joining the Dark Avengers. This led to The Void's unleashing in Siege, resulting in The Sentry's death. Since then, The Sentry has been resurrected and killed multiple times, with ongoing stories exploring the nature of his powers and the duality of his existence.

How The Sentry Fits Into the Thunderbolts Movie

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

The exact role of The Sentry in *Thunderbolts* remains unclear, but his comic history suggests a dual nature as both hero and villain. He may start as a member of the Thunderbolts, only to become their greatest threat when The Void takes over. Given the team's relative lack of powers, facing The Sentry would be a significant challenge. Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might play a role similar to Norman Osborn, aiming to control The Sentry's power but losing grip on this unstable hero.

It's uncertain whether the MCU will explore The Sentry's forgotten hero status and deep ties to the superhero community. The film may also lean into his Superman-like qualities, presenting him as a twisted analogue. As we approach the May 2025 release date, more details will emerge, adding to the anticipation for *Thunderbolts*.

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For more insights into the MCU's future, check out our comprehensive analysis of the *Deadpool & Wolverine* ending and discover 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*.