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

Marvel's upcoming Thunderbolts film remains largely mysterious, but the 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 Reynolds, aka The Sentry. This Superman-esque hero's MCU debut promises significant consequences.

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

The Sentry: A Powerful, Unstable Force

The Sentry is arguably the Marvel Universe's most potent, yet perilous, superhero. Once an ordinary man named Bob Reynolds, he gained "the power of a million exploding suns" from an experimental serum. This power, however, comes at a devastating cost: a dark alter ego known as The Void. For every heroic act, The Void commits an equally evil one, making Bob's struggle for sanity a constant, losing battle. Yet, when immense power is needed, The Sentry is unparalleled.

The Sentry's Abilities and Powers

The Sentry's abilities stem from a post-WWII experimental serum, potentially a Super Soldier Serum alternative. This serum supposedly accelerates his molecular structure, granting him near-limitless powers. 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. Essentially, he's Marvel's version of Superman.

The Void, however, is arguably even more formidable. 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 Secret Origin

Created by Paul Jenkins, Rick Veitch, and Jae Lee, The Sentry debuted in 2000. Initially, even Bob Reynolds himself had forgotten his past as "The Golden Guardian of Good." Upon regaining his memories, he confronts The Void's return. His history with figures like the Hulk and Fantastic Four is retroactively woven 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 erased to protect it from The Void. Bob repeats this act to contain his dark side, leaving the question of his own memory ambiguous.

The Sentry's Time with the Avengers

While initially a self-contained story, The Sentry became a recurring Marvel character. He joined the New Avengers in 2004, alongside Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Luke Cage. Despite his power, he struggled to maintain his sanity and control The Void.

He sided with Iron Man during Civil War and played a crucial role in thwarting the Hulk in World War Hulk. However, his downfall began during Dark Reign (2009), joining Norman Osborn's "Dark Avengers." Osborn's manipulation ultimately failed to control The Sentry, leading to The Void's release during Siege (2010), resulting in The Sentry's apparent death. Subsequent resurrections and deaths, and the exploration of his powers and the true nature of his duality, continued in later storylines, including his death in King in Black (2020) and the 2023 The Sentry series, which explores a new host for his power.

The Sentry in Thunderbolts

The Sentry's MCU debut, portrayed by Lewis Pullman, marks his first significant appearance outside comics and mobile games. Originally slated for Steven Yeun, scheduling conflicts and production delays led to the recast. He'll appear in Thunderbolts (2025) alongside Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and Red Guardian.

His precise role remains unclear, but his comic book history suggests a blend of hero and villain. He might initially be a Thunderbolt, only to become their greatest threat. Given the team's comparatively limited powers, confronting The Sentry would be a monumental challenge. Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might exploit his power, mirroring Norman Osborn's actions in the comics. The film may explore his forgotten past and his connection to other MCU heroes, possibly presenting him as a twisted counterpart to DC's Superman.

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