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 upheaval.

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 his potential role in Thunderbolts.

The Sentry: A Powerful, Perilous Hero

The Sentry is arguably the Marvel Universe's most potent, yet most dangerous, superhero. Once an ordinary man, Bob Reynolds, he gained "the power of a million exploding suns" from an experimental serum. This power, however, comes with a dark price: The Void, a malevolent alter ego. For every good deed The Sentry performs, The Void commits an equally evil act. Bob's struggle against his inner darkness is a constant, losing battle. Yet, when immense power is needed, The Sentry is unparalleled.

The Sentry's Extraordinary Abilities

The Sentry's abilities stem from a post-WWII serum, designed as a Super Soldier Serum alternative. The serum supposedly accelerates his molecules forward in time, granting him incredible strength rivaling Hulk and Thor, flight, super-speed, enhanced senses, and near invulnerability. He can also manipulate and project energy, enabling feats such as energy blasts, teleportation, and subduing the Hulk. Essentially, he's Marvel's version of Superman.

The Void, however, is arguably even more formidable. This shape-shifting entity controls weather, manipulates minds, and has withstood the combined forces of the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four; even banishment to the sun proves only a temporary solution.

The Sentry's Obscure Origins

Created by Paul Jenkins, Rick Veitch, and Jae Lee, The Sentry debuted in 2000. Initially presented as a forgotten hero, even Bob Reynolds initially lacked memories of his heroic past as "The Golden Guardian of Good." Upon regaining his memories, he confronts The Void's return. His history with characters 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 suppressed to protect it from The Void. Bob repeats this act to contain his dark side, leaving ambiguous whether he truly forgets his superhuman identities.

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 battled to maintain sanity and control The Void.

During the Civil War, he sided with Iron Man, understanding the dangers of unchecked power. He also played a crucial role against the Hulk in World War Hulk. His downfall began during Dark Reign, where Norman Osborn manipulated him into joining the Dark Avengers. The Void's unleashing during Siege, culminating in The Sentry's apparent death, marked a turning point. Subsequent resurrections and deaths, along with explorations of his powers and the nature of his dual identities, continue to shape his narrative. His most recent death occurred in 2020's King in Black, and the 2023 The Sentry series explores a new host for his power.

The Sentry's Role in Thunderbolts

Beyond comics and appearances in mobile games, The Sentry's MCU debut with Lewis Pullman in Thunderbolts (2025) is significant. While not starring in his own film, he joins familiar faces like Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and Red Guardian.

His exact role remains unclear, but his comic book history suggests a blend of powerful hero and terrifying villain. Will he initially be a Thunderbolts member before becoming their nemesis? His immense power presents a significant challenge for the team. Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might exploit his power, mirroring Norman Osborn's manipulation in the comics, potentially making him the film's equivalent of Suicide Squad's Enchantress.

The film's handling of his forgotten past and his Superman-like nature remains to be seen. The May 2025 release will reveal more.

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