Marvel's upcoming Thunderbolts film remains enigmatic, but the latest Big Game trailer offers a glimpse into the MCU team-up. While plot details remain scarce, the trailer provides a clearer view of Lewis Pullman as Bob, a.k.a. The Sentry. This Superman-esque hero's MCU debut promises significant ramifications.

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.

Who is Lewis Pullman's Thunderbolts Character, The Sentry?

The Sentry is arguably the Marvel Universe's most potent, yet perilous, 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 steep price. A dark alter ego, The Void, exists, mirroring The Sentry's good deeds with acts of evil. Bob Reynolds' struggle against his inner darkness and for sanity 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 abilities stem from an experimental serum, a potential Super Soldier Serum replacement developed post-World War II. The serum supposedly accelerates his molecules forward in time. This translates to incredible strength rivaling 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 equivalent of Superman.

As The Void, Bob is arguably even more formidable. This shapeshifting, demonic entity controls weather, infiltrates minds, and has withstood the combined might of the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four. Even banishment to the sun proved only a temporary solution.

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 portrays him as a forgotten hero, even to Bob Reynolds, who initially doesn't remember his past as "The Golden Guardian of Good."

Bob's recovered memories bring back The Sentry, but also his nemesis, The Void. The Sentry's history with figures like Hulk and the Fantastic Four is revealed, retroactively integrating 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 repeats this act to contain his dark side, erasing the world's memory of The Sentry, leaving ambiguous whether he himself remembers his superhuman identities.

The Sentry As an Avenger

While the original The 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.

The Sentry, initially a self-imposed prisoner, joined the team after thwarting a supervillain breakout. Despite his power, he struggled to maintain sanity and control The Void.

During the 2006 Civil War, he sided with Iron Man's pro-registration faction, aware of unchecked power's destructive potential. He was instrumental in countering the Hulk's rage in 2007's World War Hulk.

However, his downfall began in 2009's Dark Reign. Norman Osborn manipulated him into joining the "Dark Avengers," alongside villains like Bullseye, Venom, and Ares. Osborn's gamble to control The Sentry failed.

The Void was unleashed in 2010's Siege, during Osborn's attack on Asgard. Steve Rogers rallied the Avengers, saving the day at the cost of The Sentry's life. Since then, The Sentry has been resurrected and killed again, with new stories exploring his powers and the true nature of his duality. He was killed again in 2020's King in Black. Marvel's 2023 The Sentry series explores a new host for The Sentry's power.

How The Sentry Fits Into the Thunderbolts Movie

The Sentry's appearances outside comics have been limited, mostly in mobile games. However, Lewis Pullman's casting marks his MCU debut.

Initially, Steven Yeun was cast but left due to scheduling conflicts and the film's delayed release from 2024 to 2025 due to industry strikes.

Pullman's Sentry will appear in Thunderbolts, alongside Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and Red Guardian. His exact role remains unclear, but his comic book history suggests a portrayal emphasizing his duality as both hero and villain. He might initially be a Thunderbolts member, only to become their greatest threat.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might manipulate The Sentry, similar to Norman Osborn's role in Dark Avengers. The Sentry could be the film's equivalent of Suicide Squad's Enchantress.

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