Marvel's upcoming Thunderbolts movie remains largely mysterious, but the recent Big Game trailer offers a glimpse into the film, particularly showcasing Lewis Pullman as Bob, aka The Sentry. This Superman-esque hero's MCU debut promises significant, potentially terrifying, consequences.
Who is The Sentry, and why is he considered both the Marvel Universe's greatest hero and its worst nightmare? Let's delve into this mentally unstable hero's history and explore his potential role in Thunderbolts.
Who Is Lewis Pullman’s Thunderbolts Character, The Sentry?
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 with a devastating cost: a dark alter ego known as The Void. For every good deed The Sentry performs, The Void commits an equally evil act. Bob Reynolds's battle against his inner darkness is a constant, losing struggle. Yet, when a powerful hero is needed, none are better suited than The Sentry.
The Sentry’s Powers and Abilities
The Sentry's powers originate from an experimental serum, a post-World War II attempt to create a Super Soldier Serum alternative. The serum supposedly accelerates his molecules forward in time, resulting in nearly limitless abilities. His strength rivals the Hulk and Thor; he possesses flight, super-speed, enhanced senses, and near invulnerability. He can absorb and project energy, enabling feats like energy blasts, teleportation, and even subduing the Hulk. Essentially, he's Marvel's answer to Superman.
As The Void, Bob is arguably even more powerful and dangerous. This shape-shifting, demonic entity controls weather, manipulates minds, and has withstood the combined might of the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four. Even banishing him to the sun proved only a temporary solution.
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 the 2000 The Sentry miniseries. Initially presented as a forgotten hero, even Bob Reynolds—a middle-aged, overweight man—had no memory of his past as "The Golden Guardian of Good." Upon regaining his memories, Bob rediscovers his nemesis, The Void. The Sentry's history with characters like the Hulk and Fantastic Four is retroactively woven into Marvel continuity.
The story reveals The Sentry and The Void are two sides of the same coin. The world forgot The Sentry to protect itself from The Void. Bob ultimately chooses to repeat this act, erasing the world's memory of The Sentry to contain his dark side. The series leaves ambiguous whether Bob himself truly forgets his superhuman identities.
The Sentry As an Avenger
Beyond the initial miniseries, The Sentry became a recurring Marvel character. He joined the New Avengers in 2004, alongside Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Luke Cage. Despite being a powerful asset, he constantly battles to maintain his sanity and control The Void. During the Civil War, he sided with Iron Man's pro-registration faction, highlighting his understanding of unchecked power's destructive potential. He also played a crucial role in stopping the Hulk during World War Hulk.
His downfall begins in Dark Reign (2009), where Norman Osborn recruits him for the Dark Avengers. Osborn's gamble that his experience with the Green Goblin persona would control The Sentry fails. The Void is unleashed in Siege (2010), leading to a battle that costs The Sentry his life, though he's been resurrected and killed again since. The 2023 The Sentry series explores the possibility of a new host for his power.
How The Sentry Fits Into the Thunderbolts Movie
The Sentry's MCU debut in Thunderbolts marks his first significant appearance outside of comics and mobile games. Lewis Pullman takes on the role, alongside familiar faces like Sebastian Stan, Florence Pugh, and David Harbour. His exact role remains unclear, but his comic book history suggests he'll be portrayed as both a powerful hero and a terrifying villain. He might initially join the Thunderbolts, only to become their ultimate threat when he loses control.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus's Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might manipulate him, mirroring Norman Osborn's role in the Dark Avengers. The film might explore The Sentry's forgotten past and his ties to other MCU heroes, potentially presenting him as a twisted analogue of DC's Superman.
*Note: this article was originally published on November 17, 2023 and updated on September 23, 2024 with the latest information about Thunderbolts.*
