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

Marvel's highly anticipated Thunderbolts* movie continues to captivate fans with its mysterious plot, and the latest Big Game trailer offers a thrilling glimpse into the film. While it doesn't spill the beans on the storyline, it does showcase Lewis Pullman as Bob, aka The Sentry. This Superman-esque hero is set to make his MCU debut, and with his arrival comes a potent mix of excitement and trepidation.

Who is The Sentry, and why is he both the Marvel Universe's greatest hero and its worst nightmare? Let's delve into the history of this complex and mentally unstable hero and explore how he might fit into the plot of Thunderbolts*. Here are the key points we'll cover:

Who Is Lewis Pullman’s Thunderbolts Character The Sentry?The Sentry’s Powers and AbilitiesThe Sentry’s Secret OriginThe Sentry As an AvengerHow The Sentry Fits Into the Thunderbolts Movie

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Who Is Lewis Pullman’s Thunderbolts* Character The Sentry?

The Sentry, known as Bob Reynolds, is potentially the most powerful superhero in the Marvel Universe, but he's also one of the most dangerous. After consuming a serum that granted him "the power of a million exploding suns," Bob's life changed irrevocably. Alongside his immense power comes a dark counterpart, The Void. For every heroic act The Sentry performs, The Void unleashes an evil deed, making Bob's struggle to maintain his sanity a constant battle. Yet, when the world needs a hero with unparalleled strength, The Sentry is the one to call upon.

The Sentry’s Powers and Abilities

The Sentry's powers originate from an experimental serum developed post-World War II as a potential Super Soldier Serum replacement. This serum accelerates his molecules an instant forward in time, endowing him with a vast array of abilities. His strength rivals that of Hulk and Thor, and he can fly, move at incredible speeds, and boasts enhanced senses and near invulnerability. The Sentry can absorb and project energy, allowing him to fire energy blasts, teleport, and even calm a rampaging Hulk. In his alter ego, The Void, Bob becomes even more formidable and dangerous, capable of controlling the weather, infesting minds, and withstanding the might of the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four combined.

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 story presents him as a forgotten hero from the Marvel Universe's past, with even Bob Reynolds himself unaware of his former identity as "The Golden Guardian of Good." As Bob regains his memories, he also confronts the return of his nemesis, The Void. Throughout the series, The Sentry's history intertwines with characters like Hulk and the Fantastic Four, integrating him into Marvel's continuity. The narrative reveals that The Sentry and The Void are two sides of the same coin, and to protect the world from The Void, the collective memory of The Sentry was erased—a sacrifice Bob must repeat to keep his dark side in check.

Art by Bryan Hitch. (Image Credit: Marvel)

The Sentry As an Avenger

The Sentry's journey continued beyond his initial miniseries, becoming a recurring figure in the Marvel Universe. He officially joined the New Avengers in 2004, a revamped team including Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Luke Cage. Initially a self-imposed prisoner at The Raft, The Sentry's intervention during a massive supervillain jailbreak led to his reluctant membership. Despite his immense power, he struggled to preserve his sanity and control The Void.

During the Civil War in 2006, The Sentry aligned with Iron Man's pro-registration faction, understanding the dangers of unchecked power. He played a crucial role in World War Hulk in 2007, protecting the world from Hulk's wrath. However, his downfall began with Dark Reign in 2009, as Norman Osborn manipulated him into joining the "Dark Avengers." This manipulation culminated in the Siege event of 2010, where The Void was unleashed during Osborn's attack on Asgard. The true Avengers, led by Steve Rogers, saved the day, but at the cost of The Sentry's life.

Since then, The Sentry has been resurrected and killed multiple times, with ongoing stories exploring the nature of his powers and the duality of The Sentry and The Void. The 2023 series delves into what happens when The Sentry's power seeks a new host, raising questions about who will become the next Sentry and whether they can handle The Void.

Art by Olivier Coipel. (Image Credit: Marvel)

How The Sentry Fits Into the Thunderbolts* Movie

The Sentry's presence in media has been limited to mobile games like Marvel Puzzle Quest and Marvel Snap, but his MCU debut in Thunderbolts* marks a significant expansion. Originally, Steven Yeun was cast as The Sentry, but scheduling conflicts following the movie's delay from the 2024 release slate led to Lewis Pullman taking on the role. Pullman will join familiar MCU faces like Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes, Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova, and David Harbour's Red Guardian in the 2025 film.

While the exact role of The Sentry in Thunderbolts* remains unclear, his comic book history suggests he could start as a member of the team, only to become their greatest threat when he loses control. The Thunderbolts, with their relatively limited powers, would face a monumental challenge in confronting The Sentry.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might play a role akin to Norman Osborn's in the Dark Avengers, seeing The Sentry as a powerful asset to exploit. However, her control over this unstable hero could falter, positioning The Sentry as the film's equivalent to the Enchantress in Suicide Squad.

It's uncertain whether the MCU will explore The Sentry's forgotten hero status and his deep ties to the superhero community. Will he be retroactively established as a once-active character in the MCU? And how will the film portray The Sentry as a twisted analogue of DC's Superman? These questions will be answered as we approach the May 2025 release of Thunderbolts*.

For more on the future of the MCU, check out our detailed analysis of the ending to Deadpool & Wolverine and explore all the Marvel movies and shows currently in development.