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

Marvel's upcoming Thunderbolts movie remains largely mysterious, but the recent Big Game trailer offers a glimpse into the film, specifically featuring Lewis Pullman as Bob, aka The Sentry. This Superman-esque hero's MCU debut promises high stakes and potential chaos. But 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.

This article covers:

• Who is Lewis Pullman's Thunderbolts character, The Sentry?
• The Sentry's powers and abilities
• The Sentry's secret origin
• The Sentry as an Avenger
• How The Sentry fits into the Thunderbolts movie

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show

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, however, comes with a terrible cost: a dark, malevolent alter ego known as The Void. For every good deed The Sentry performs, The Void commits an equally evil act. Bob Reynolds' constant struggle against his inner darkness and the preservation of his sanity is a losing battle, yet when a powerful hero is needed, none are better suited than The Sentry.

The Sentry’s Powers and Abilities

The Sentry's abilities stem from an experimental serum—one of many created as a potential Super Soldier Serum replacement after World War II. This serum reportedly accelerates his molecules forward in time, granting him near-limitless power.

As The Sentry, Bob possesses strength rivaling the Hulk and Thor, the ability to fly at incredible speeds, enhanced senses, and near-invulnerability. He can also absorb and project energy, enabling feats like energy blasts, teleportation, and even subduing the Hulk. In terms of power, The Sentry is Marvel's answer to Superman.

As The Void, however, Bob becomes even more powerful and dangerous. The Void is a shape-shifting, demonic entity capable of weather manipulation and mental manipulation. He's withstood the combined might of the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four, and even being thrown into the sun has only proven a temporary setback.

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 miniseries of the same name. The series presents him as a forgotten hero from the Marvel Universe's past, with even Bob Reynolds—a middle-aged, overweight man—initially unaware of his past as "The Golden Guardian of Good."

Upon regaining his memories and becoming The Sentry again, Bob discovers his nemesis, The Void, has also returned. The series reveals The Sentry's history with characters like the Hulk and Fantastic Four, retroactively integrating him into Marvel continuity. Ultimately, it's revealed that The Sentry and The Void are 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 keep his dark side in check, once again erasing the world's memory of The Sentry, leaving ambiguity as to whether Bob himself truly forgets.

The Sentry As an Avenger

While the original Sentry miniseries was self-contained, the character later became a recurring figure in the Marvel Universe. He joined the New Avengers in 2004, alongside Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Luke Cage.

In New Avengers, The Sentry is presented as a self-imposed prisoner of The Raft, intervening in a supervillain jailbreak and reluctantly joining the team. Despite his immense power, he struggles to maintain his sanity and control The Void.

During the events of Civil War (2006), The Sentry sides with Iron Man's pro-registration faction, understanding the dangers of unchecked power. He also plays a crucial role in protecting the world from the Hulk in World War Hulk (2007).

However, his downfall begins in Dark Reign (2009). Norman Osborn recruits Bob to join his "Dark Avengers," manipulating him into serving alongside villains. This ultimately leads to The Void's release in Siege (2010), culminating in The Sentry's death. Since then, The Sentry has been resurrected and killed multiple times, with ongoing stories exploring his powers and the nature of his duality. His most recent death occurred in King in Black (2020), and Marvel's 2023 The Sentry series explores the search for a new host.

How The Sentry Fits Into the Thunderbolts Movie

The Sentry has had limited appearances outside of Marvel comics, primarily in mobile games. However, Lewis Pullman's casting marks his MCU debut. While not starring in a solo film or series (yet), he'll appear in Thunderbolts alongside Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and Red Guardian.

The Sentry's exact role in Thunderbolts remains unclear, but his comic book history suggests he'll be portrayed as both a powerful hero and a terrifying villain. He might initially be a member of the Thunderbolts, only to become their greatest threat when he loses control. Given the team's relatively limited powers, battling The Sentry would be a monumental challenge.

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

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

The film's handling of The Sentry's forgotten past and his connection to other heroes remains unknown, as does the extent to which he'll be portrayed as a twisted analogue of Superman. More details will emerge closer to the May 2025 release date.

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