Sentry Unleashed: Lewis Pullman's Mysterious Role in Marvel's "Thunderbolts"

Marvel's upcoming Thunderbolts film remains largely mysterious, but the latest Big Game trailer offers a glimpse into the MCU team-up. 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 ramifications.

Who is The Sentry, and why is he both the Marvel Universe's greatest champion and its most formidable threat? Let's explore this mentally unstable hero's history and his potential role in Thunderbolts.

The Sentry: A Closer Look

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 heroic act, The Void commits an equally evil deed. Bob Reynolds' struggle against his inner darkness is a constant, losing battle. Yet, when a powerful hero is needed, none are better suited than The Sentry.

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The Sentry's Powers and Abilities

The Sentry's abilities originate from an experimental serum, a potential Super Soldier Serum replacement developed post-World War II. The serum supposedly accelerates his molecules forward in time, resulting in near-limitless powers.

As The Sentry, Bob possesses strength rivaling the Hulk and Thor, flight, super-speed, enhanced senses, and near-invulnerability. He can absorb and project energy, enabling feats like energy blasts, teleportation, and subduing the Hulk. Essentially, he's Marvel's answer to Superman.

The Void, however, is arguably even more potent and dangerous. This shapeshifting, demonic entity controls weather, manipulates minds, and has withstood the combined might of the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four. Even banishment to the sun proves only a temporary solution.

The Sentry: Key Facts

• First Appearance: The Sentry #1 (2000)
• Creators: Paul Jenkins, Rick Veitch, & Jae Lee
• Aliases: The Void, Golden Man, The Golden Guardian of Good
• Team Affiliations: (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 Jenkins, Veitch, and Lee, The Sentry debuted in the 2000 miniseries. The story presents him as a forgotten hero, even to Bob Reynolds himself, a middle-aged man unaware of his past. Upon regaining his memories, Bob rediscovers his nemesis, The Void. His history with the Hulk and Fantastic Four is retroactively established within Marvel continuity.

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 is forced to repeat this act to contain his dark side, once again erasing collective memory of The Sentry, leaving the question of his own awareness ambiguous.

The Sentry as an Avenger

While the original miniseries was self-contained, The Sentry became a recurring character. In 2004's New Avengers, he joined a revamped team, including Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Luke Cage. He's a powerful asset, yet constantly battles to maintain sanity and control The Void.

During Civil War, he sides with Iron Man's pro-registration faction, understanding the dangers of unchecked power. He plays a crucial role in World War Hulk. However, his downfall begins in Dark Reign, joining Norman Osborn's "Dark Avengers," manipulated into serving alongside villains.

The Void is unleashed in Siege, leading to an attack on Asgard. Steve Rogers rallies the Avengers, saving the day but at the cost of The Sentry's life. Since then, The Sentry has been resurrected and killed multiple times. The 2023 The Sentry series explores a new host for his power, raising questions about the future of this complex character.

The Sentry's Role in Thunderbolts

The Sentry's appearances outside comics have been limited, mainly in mobile games. Lewis Pullman's casting marks a significant change. He won't star in a solo film (yet), but debuts in 2025's Thunderbolts, alongside Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and Red Guardian.

His exact role remains unclear, but his comic book history suggests a portrayal as both hero and villain. Will he initially be a member, only to become the team's greatest threat? The Thunderbolts' relatively limited powers make a conflict with The Sentry a monumental challenge.

Thunderbolts: A Look at Marvel's Twisted Team

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Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might play a role similar to Norman Osborn's in Dark Avengers, exploiting The Sentry's power before losing control. If Thunderbolts mirrors Suicide Squad, The Sentry could be the film's Enchantress equivalent.

The film may explore The Sentry's forgotten past and connections to other heroes. The extent to which he'll be a twisted Superman analogue remains to be seen. More details will emerge closer to the May 2025 release.

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