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 tantalizing glimpse. 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 upheaval. Who is The Sentry, and why is he 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.

Topics Covered:

• 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

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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 power, however, comes at a terrible 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' struggle against his inner darkness is a constant, 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 powers originate from an experimental serum—one of many formulas developed as a potential Super Soldier Serum replacement after World War II. The serum supposedly accelerates his molecules forward in time, granting him immense strength rivaling the Hulk and Thor, flight, super-speed, enhanced senses, and near invulnerability. He can also absorb and project energy, enabling feats like energy blasts, teleportation, and subduing the Hulk. In terms of power, The Sentry is Marvel's answer to Superman.

As The Void, Bob is arguably even more potent and dangerous. The Void is a shapeshifting, demonic entity capable of weather manipulation and mind control. The Void has withstood the combined might of the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four, and even being thrown into the sun proved only 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 The Sentry miniseries. The series introduces him as a forgotten hero from the Marvel Universe's past, even to Bob Reynolds himself. Bob regains his memories and becomes The Sentry, only to discover The Void's return. His history with characters like the Hulk and Fantastic Four is established, retroactively inserting him into Marvel continuity.

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 erases the world's memory of The Sentry again to contain The Void, leaving ambiguous whether he himself has truly forgotten.

The Sentry As an Avenger

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 being a powerful asset, he struggles to maintain his sanity and control The Void. During the Civil War, he sided with Iron Man's pro-registration faction. He also played a crucial role in stopping the Hulk in World War Hulk.

His downfall begins in Dark Reign (2009), joining Norman Osborn's Dark Avengers. The Void is unleashed in Siege (2010), leading to The Sentry's death. Since then, he's been resurrected and killed multiple times. Marvel's 2023 The Sentry series explores a new host for his power. His death in King in Black (2020) further complicates his story.

How The Sentry Fits Into the Thunderbolts Movie

The Sentry's MCU debut with Lewis Pullman in Thunderbolts (2025) marks a significant shift. He'll appear alongside Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and Red Guardian. His role remains unclear, but his comic book history suggests a portrayal emphasizing both his heroic and villainous aspects. He might start as a member of the Thunderbolts, only to become their worst nightmare. The film might also explore his forgotten past and his connection to other heroes.

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Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might play a role similar to Norman Osborn's, exploiting The Sentry's power before losing control. The Sentry could be the film's equivalent of Suicide Squad's Enchantress. The film's approach to his forgotten past and Superman-esque nature remains to be seen. More details will emerge as Thunderbolts' May 2025 release date approaches.

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