Lewis Pullman's Sentry in Thunderbolts: Marvel's Most Powerful Hero Revealed

Marvel’s upcoming Thunderbolts* film remains largely enigmatic, but the recent Big Game trailer offers a fresh glimpse. While it keeps the plot under wraps, it highlights Lewis Pullman’s portrayal of Bob, known as The Sentry. This Superman-like hero makes his MCU debut, signaling a thrilling yet perilous addition to the franchise.

Who is The Sentry, and why does he pose both hope and havoc for the Marvel Universe? Here’s a deep dive into this complex hero’s history and his potential role in Thunderbolts*. Topics covered include:

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

The Sentry stands as one of Marvel’s mightiest heroes, yet also its most unpredictable threat.

Once an ordinary man named Bob Reynolds, he gained extraordinary abilities after consuming a serum that endowed him with “the strength of a million suns.” This immense power, however, carries a grave downside. The Sentry’s alter ego, The Void, embodies his darker impulses. Every heroic act The Sentry performs is matched by The Void’s malevolent deeds. Bob’s constant struggle to maintain his sanity makes him a volatile yet unparalleled hero when the need arises.

The Sentry’s Powers and Abilities

The Sentry’s abilities originate from an experimental serum, developed as a successor to the Super Soldier Serum post-World War II. This formula shifts his molecules slightly ahead in time, granting him near-limitless powers.

As The Sentry, Bob rivals the strength of icons like Hulk and Thor. He can soar through the skies, move at astonishing speeds, possesses heightened senses, and is nearly invulnerable. He also wields energy manipulation, enabling feats like energy blasts, teleportation, and calming a rampaging Hulk. In essence, The Sentry is Marvel’s equivalent to Superman.

As The Void, Bob becomes an even more formidable and sinister force. This shape-shifting, demonic entity can manipulate weather, invade minds, and has overpowered teams like the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four. Even hurling The Void into the sun only temporarily halts its chaos.

The Sentry’s Secret Origin

Created by Paul Jenkins, Rick Veitch, and Jae Lee, The Sentry debuted in the 2000 miniseries bearing his name. The story presents him as a forgotten hero from Marvel’s past. Even Bob Reynolds, now a middle-aged, unassuming man, is unaware of his heroic past as “The Golden Guardian of Good.”

When Bob recovers his memories, he resumes his role as The Sentry, only to find his nemesis, The Void, has also returned. The series weaves The Sentry into Marvel’s history, connecting him to figures like Hulk and the Fantastic Four, retroactively embedding him in the universe’s continuity.

Ultimately, it’s revealed that The Sentry and The Void are two sides of the same entity. To shield the world from The Void’s destruction, The Sentry’s existence was erased from collective memory. Bob must repeat this sacrifice to contain his dark side, leaving ambiguity about whether he retains any memory of his dual nature.

The Sentry As an Avenger

Though the original Sentry miniseries was standalone, the character later became a recurring figure in Marvel’s universe. In 2004’s New Avengers, The Sentry joins a revamped roster featuring Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Luke Cage.

He reappears as a self-confined prisoner at The Raft, stepping in to thwart a massive villain breakout before reluctantly joining the Avengers. Despite his immense value to the team, The Sentry grapples with his mental stability to keep The Void at bay.

During 2006’s Civil War, The Sentry aligns with Iron Man’s pro-registration side, wary of the dangers of unchecked power. He also plays a crucial role in stopping Hulk’s rampage in 2007’s World War Hulk.

His descent begins in 2009’s Dark Reign, where Norman Osborn, leading H.A.M.M.E.R., recruits Bob for his Dark Avengers alongside villains like Bullseye and Venom. Osborn’s attempt to control The Sentry, leveraging his own experience with instability, backfires spectacularly.

In 2010’s Siege, The Void is fully unleashed during Osborn’s assault on Asgard. Steve Rogers rallies the true Avengers to save the day, but The Sentry perishes in the process.

Since then, The Sentry has been resurrected and killed again, with stories probing the true nature of his powers and whether The Sentry or The Void is dominant. His death in 2020’s King in Black and the 2023 The Sentry series explore new hosts for his power, raising questions about who will inherit both his heroism and his curse.

How The Sentry Fits Into the Thunderbolts* Movie

Outside comics, The Sentry has had minimal presence, appearing in games like Marvel Puzzle Quest and Marvel Future Fight. That changes with Lewis Pullman’s casting as The Sentry in the MCU’s Thunderbolts*.

Originally, Steven Yeun was set to play The Sentry, but scheduling conflicts, stemming from Thunderbolts*’ shift from its 2024 release due to industry strikes, led to Pullman’s casting. Only Deadpool & Wolverine remained on the MCU’s 2024 slate.

Pullman’s Sentry debuts in 2025’s Thunderbolts*, alongside MCU veterans like Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, and David Harbour’s Red Guardian.

The Sentry’s exact role in Thunderbolts* remains unclear, but his comic history suggests he’ll be both a formidable ally and a potential threat. Could he start as a team member only to become their greatest challenge when The Void takes over? Given the team’s relatively grounded roster, facing The Sentry would be a daunting ordeal.

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Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might mirror Norman Osborn’s role from Dark Avengers, viewing The Sentry as a powerful tool to manipulate. Her control could falter, unleashing his instability. If Thunderbolts* echoes Suicide Squad, The Sentry may parallel the volatile Enchantress.

It’s uncertain whether the MCU will portray The Sentry as a forgotten hero with deep MCU ties or emphasize his Superman-like duality. More details will emerge as the May 2025 release of Thunderbolts* approaches.

For more on the MCU’s future, check our analysis of Deadpool & Wolverine’s ending and explore all upcoming Marvel movies and shows.

Note: this article was first published on November 17, 2023, and updated on September 23, 2024, with the latest Thunderbolts* details.