The anticipation for Marvel's upcoming *Thunderbolts* movie continues to build, and the latest Big Game trailer has given us another glimpse into this mysterious MCU team-up. While the plot remains largely under wraps, we've been treated to a better look at Lewis Pullman as Bob, aka The Sentry. This Superman-esque hero is set to make his MCU debut, and with his arrival comes a mix of excitement and apprehension for fans worldwide.

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 might fit into the *Thunderbolts* narrative. 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, portrayed by Lewis Pullman, is a character of immense power and peril within the Marvel Universe. Originally an ordinary man named Bob Reynolds, he gained his extraordinary abilities after consuming a serum that endowed him with "the power of a million exploding suns." However, this power comes with a dark counterpart known as The Void. For every heroic act The Sentry performs, The Void unleashes an equivalent evil deed. Bob's struggle to maintain his sanity against this inner darkness is a constant battle, yet his unparalleled strength makes him an invaluable asset when the world needs a hero.

The Sentry’s Powers and Abilities

The Sentry's powers originate from an experimental serum designed as a potential successor to the Super Soldier Serum post-World War II. This serum accelerates his molecules forward in time, granting him an array of nearly limitless abilities. As The Sentry, Bob possesses strength comparable to the Hulk and Thor, can fly at incredible speeds, has enhanced senses, and is nearly invulnerable. He can also absorb and project energy, enabling feats such as energy blasts, teleportation, and even calming a rampaging Hulk. In his darker persona, The Void, Bob becomes even more formidable, capable of shape-shifting, controlling the weather, and infiltrating minds. The Void has withstood 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

Created by Paul Jenkins, Rick Veitch, and Jae Lee, The Sentry first appeared in the 2000 miniseries of the same name. The story introduces him as a forgotten hero from the Marvel Universe's past, with even Bob Reynolds himself unaware of his former identity as "The Golden Guardian of Good." As Bob regains his memories and resumes his role as The Sentry, he also confronts the return of his nemesis, The Void. Throughout the series, The Sentry's interactions with characters like the Hulk and the Fantastic Four are established, retroactively weaving him into Marvel's continuity. The narrative reveals that The Sentry and The Void are two sides of the same coin, and to protect the world from The Void's wrath, Bob erases the collective memory of The Sentry, leaving ambiguity about his own awareness of his dual nature.

The Sentry As an Avenger

The Sentry's role expanded beyond his initial miniseries, becoming a recurring figure in the Marvel Universe. He officially joined the Avengers in 2004's New Avengers, aligning with a revamped team including Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Luke Cage. Initially a self-imposed prisoner at The Raft, The Sentry intervenes during a massive supervillain breakout and reluctantly joins the team. Despite his immense power, he constantly battles to keep The Void at bay and maintain his sanity.

During the 2006 Civil War, The Sentry sides with Iron Man's pro-registration faction, understanding the dangers of unchecked power. He plays a crucial role in World War Hulk in 2007, protecting the world from the Hulk's wrath. However, his downfall begins in the 2009 Dark Reign storyline, where Norman Osborn manipulates him into joining the "Dark Avengers." Osborn's control over The Sentry falters, leading to the unleashing of The Void during the 2010 Siege event, where The Sentry's life is sacrificed to save Asgard.

In subsequent years, The Sentry has been resurrected and killed multiple times, with stories exploring the nature of his powers and the duality of his existence. The 2023 The Sentry series delves into the search for a new host for his powers, raising questions about the future of The Sentry and The Void.

How The Sentry Fits Into the Thunderbolts Movie

The Sentry's presence in the MCU has been limited to mobile games like Marvel Puzzle Quest, Marvel Future Fight, and Marvel Snap until now. Lewis Pullman's casting as The Sentry marks a significant expansion of the character's reach. Originally, Steven Yeun was set to portray The Sentry, but scheduling conflicts following the movie's delay from the 2024 release slate led to Pullman taking on the role.

The Sentry will debut in the 2025 Thunderbolts movie, alongside familiar MCU characters such as Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes, Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova, and David Harbour's Red Guardian. While the exact role of The Sentry in the film remains unclear, his comic book history suggests he could start as a member of the Thunderbolts, only to become their greatest threat when he loses control. The team's relatively limited powers would make confronting The Sentry a formidable challenge.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might play a role similar to Norman Osborn's in the Dark Avengers comics, seeing The Sentry as a powerful asset to exploit. However, her control over this unstable hero could quickly unravel, positioning The Sentry as the film's equivalent to the Suicide Squad's Enchantress.

It remains to be seen whether the MCU will explore The Sentry's backstory as a forgotten hero with deep ties to the superhero community or emphasize his parallels to DC's Superman. As we approach the May 2025 release of Thunderbolts, more details will undoubtedly emerge.

The Thunderbolts: The Tumultuous History of Marvel's Twisted Super-Team

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For more insights into the future of the MCU, check out our detailed analysis of the Deadpool & Wolverine ending and explore 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.