Marvel's The Sentry Explained: Who Is Lewis Pullman's \"Bob\" In Thunderbolts?

Marvel's upcoming Thunderbolts film remains largely mysterious, but a recent 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 repercussions.

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

The Sentry: Unveiling Lewis Pullman's Character

The Sentry is arguably the Marvel Universe's most powerful, yet most perilous, superhero. Formerly Bob Reynolds, an ordinary man, he consumed a serum granting him "the power of a million exploding suns." This immense power comes at a devastating cost: a dark alter ego known as The Void. For every heroic act, The Void commits an equally evil deed. Bob's struggle against his inner darkness and for his sanity is a constant, losing battle. Yet, when a powerful hero is needed, none surpass The Sentry.

The Sentry's Extraordinary Abilities

The Sentry's powers originate from an experimental serum, a post-WWII attempt to replicate the Super Soldier Serum. The serum supposedly accelerates his molecular structure, granting him near-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 subduing the Hulk. In essence, The Sentry is Marvel's version of 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 banishing it to the sun proved only a temporary solution.

The Sentry's Enigmatic Origin

Created by Paul Jenkins, Rick Veitch, and Jae Lee, The Sentry debuted in the 2000 miniseries. Initially presented as a forgotten hero, even Bob Reynolds, a middle-aged man, initially lacked memory of his past as "The Golden Guardian of Good." Regaining his memories, he confronts The Void's return. The Sentry's history with the Hulk and Fantastic Four is retroactively integrated into Marvel continuity.

The Sentry and The Void are revealed as two sides of the same coin. The world's collective memory of The Sentry was suppressed to protect it from The Void. Bob repeats this act to control his dark side, ambiguously erasing his superhuman identities from global memory.

The Sentry's Tenure as an Avenger

Beyond the initial miniseries, The Sentry became a recurring Marvel character. In 2004's New Avengers, he's depicted as a self-imposed prisoner, intervening in a supervillain breakout and reluctantly joining the team. Despite his power, he struggles to maintain sanity and control The Void.

During Civil War, he sides with Iron Man's pro-registration stance, acutely aware of unchecked power's destructive potential. He plays a crucial role in countering the Hulk in World War Hulk.

His downfall begins in Dark Reign, where Norman Osborn manipulates him into joining the "Dark Avengers." Osborn's gamble to control The Sentry fails, ultimately unleashing The Void in Siege. The Sentry's life is sacrificed to save Asgard.

Subsequent resurrections and deaths have punctuated his story, leaving the nature of his powers and the true identity of The Sentry/The Void open to interpretation. The 2023 The Sentry series explores a new host for The Sentry's power.

The Sentry's Role in Thunderbolts

The Sentry's appearances outside comics have been limited to mobile games. Lewis Pullman's casting marks his MCU debut. While not starring in a solo film (yet), he appears in 2025's Thunderbolts, alongside Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and Red Guardian.

His precise role remains unclear, but his comic book history suggests a portrayal as both hero and villain. He might initially be a Thunderbolts member, later turning against them. His immense power presents a significant challenge to the team.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might exploit The Sentry, mirroring Norman Osborn's manipulation in the comics. The Sentry could function as the film's equivalent of Suicide Squad's Enchantress.

The MCU's handling of The Sentry's forgotten past and his Superman-esque nature remains to be seen. More details will emerge closer to Thunderbolts' 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*.