The excitement around Marvel's upcoming *Thunderbolts* movie continues to build, especially with the latest Big Game trailer giving us a sneak peek at Lewis Pullman as Bob, aka The Sentry. This Superman-esque hero is poised to make his Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debut, and fans should brace themselves for the potential chaos he might bring.
Who is The Sentry, and why is he considered both the Marvel Universe's greatest hero and its worst nightmare? Let's delve into the history of this complex and mentally unstable character, and explore how he may fit into the plot of Thunderbolts. Here are the key topics we'll 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 as Bob Reynolds, is arguably the most powerful yet dangerous superhero in the Marvel Universe. Once an ordinary man, Bob consumed an experimental serum that endowed him with "the power of a million exploding suns." However, this immense power comes with a dark counterpart, The Void. For every heroic act The Sentry performs, The Void unleashes an equivalent evil deed. Bob's constant battle against his inner darkness and his struggle to maintain his sanity are central to his character, yet when the world needs a hero, The Sentry's unparalleled abilities make him indispensable.
The Sentry's Powers and Abilities
The Sentry's powers originate from a serum designed as a potential replacement for the Super Soldier Serum post-World War II. This serum accelerates his molecules forward in time, granting him an array of almost limitless powers. His strength rivals that of the Hulk and Thor, and he possesses the ability to fly, move at super speeds, and has enhanced senses and near-invulnerability. Additionally, he can absorb and project energy, enabling feats such as energy blasts, teleportation, and even calming a rampaging Hulk. As The Void, Bob's dark side becomes even more formidable, capable of shape-shifting, controlling weather, and invading minds, withstanding the collective 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 portrays him as a forgotten hero from Marvel's past, with even Bob Reynolds himself unaware of his past as "The Golden Guardian of Good." As Bob regains his memories and reassumes his role as The Sentry, he also confronts the return of his nemesis, The Void. The series establishes The Sentry's connections with other Marvel heroes and retroactively inserts him into the 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 collective memory of The Sentry was erased. Bob ultimately repeats this act to keep his dark side in check, leaving ambiguity about his own awareness of his dual nature.
Art by Bryan Hitch. (Image Credit: Marvel)
The Sentry As an Avenger
The Sentry's role expanded beyond his initial miniseries, becoming a recurring figure in the Marvel Universe. He joined the New Avengers in 2004, helping to stop a massive supervillain jailbreak and becoming a valuable, albeit troubled, member of the team. During the Civil War in 2006, The Sentry aligned with Iron Man's pro-registration faction, understanding the dangers of unchecked power. He played a crucial role in protecting the world during World War Hulk in 2007. However, his involvement in Norman Osborn's Dark Avengers during the Dark Reign storyline in 2009 led to disastrous consequences, culminating in his ultimate sacrifice during the Siege event in 2010. Subsequent stories have explored his resurrections, new hosts, and the ongoing battle between The Sentry and The Void.
Art by Olivier Coipel. (Image Credit: Marvel)
How The Sentry Fits Into the Thunderbolts Movie
The Sentry's introduction to the MCU comes via Lewis Pullman's portrayal in Thunderbolts, set for release in May 2025. Originally, Steven Yeun was cast as The Sentry, but scheduling conflicts following delays due to industry strikes led to Pullman taking on the role. The Sentry won't headline his own movie or series but will debut alongside familiar MCU characters like Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and Red Guardian.
While specifics about The Sentry's role in Thunderbolts remain under wraps, it's likely his dual nature as a hero and villain will be central to the plot. The film might explore him as a member of the Thunderbolts who becomes a threat when he loses control. Given the team's relative lack of superpowers, confronting The Sentry would be a significant challenge. Additionally, Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might play a role similar to Norman Osborn, aiming to exploit The Sentry's power but struggling to control him. Whether the MCU will establish The Sentry as a forgotten hero with deep ties to the superhero community, and how much it will draw parallels to DC's Superman, remains to be seen as we approach the release date.
The Thunderbolts: The Tumultuous History of Marvel's Twisted Super-Team
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For more on the future of the MCU, check out our detailed analysis of the Deadpool & Wolverine ending and stay updated on 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.
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