Lewis Pullman's "Bob" in Marvel's Thunderbolts: Who's the Enigma Revealed?

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 are scarce, the trailer provides a clearer view of Lewis Pullman as Bob, aka The Sentry. This Superman-esque hero's MCU debut promises significant conflict.

Who is The Sentry, and why is he both the Marvel Universe's greatest champion and its most formidable threat? Let's explore this mentally unstable hero's history and his potential role in Thunderbolts.

The Sentry: A Powerful Hero, A Dangerous Villain

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 immense power comes at a steep price: a dark alter ego known as The Void. The Sentry's heroic acts are invariably countered by The Void's malevolent deeds, making Bob Reynolds' struggle for sanity a constant, losing battle. Yet, when a powerful hero is needed, none surpass The Sentry.

The Sentry's Abilities

The Sentry's abilities stem from an experimental serum, a potential Super Soldier Serum alternative developed post-World War II. This serum purportedly accelerates his molecules forward in time, granting him incredible strength rivaling the Hulk and Thor, flight, super-speed, enhanced senses, and near invulnerability. He can manipulate and project energy, enabling feats such as energy blasts, teleportation, and subduing the Hulk. In essence, The Sentry is Marvel's equivalent to Superman.

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

The Sentry's Origin and History

Created by Paul Jenkins, Rick Veitch, and Jae Lee, The Sentry debuted in 2000. Initially presented as a forgotten hero, even Bob Reynolds (a middle-aged man) lacked memory of his past as "The Golden Guardian of Good." Upon regaining his memories, he confronts The Void's return. His history with figures 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, understanding this, repeats the act to contain his dark side, ambiguously erasing the world's memory of The Sentry, leaving his own recollection uncertain.

The Sentry as an Avenger and Beyond

Initially a self-contained story, The Sentry later became a recurring Marvel character. He joined the New Avengers in 2004, aiding in a supervillain jailbreak and reluctantly joining the team. Despite his power, he battles to maintain his 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 in countering the Hulk in World War Hulk. However, his downfall began in Dark Reign (2009), joining Norman Osborn's Dark Avengers, manipulated into serving alongside villains. This ultimately led to The Void's release during Siege (2010), culminating in The Sentry's death. Subsequent resurrections and deaths, along with new stories, continue to explore his powers and the nature of his dual identity. His most recent demise occurred in 2020's King in Black, with the 2023 The Sentry series exploring a new host for his power.

The Sentry in Thunderbolts

Beyond appearances in mobile games, The Sentry's MCU debut with Lewis Pullman in Thunderbolts marks a significant event. While not starring in a solo film (yet), he joins a cast including Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and Red Guardian.

His precise role in Thunderbolts is unclear, but his comic book history suggests a portrayal as both hero and villain. He might initially be a team member, only to become their greatest threat upon losing control. His immense power would pose a considerable challenge to the Thunderbolts.

Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine's role may mirror Norman Osborn's in the Dark Avengers comics, potentially exploiting The Sentry's power before losing control. If Thunderbolts is Marvel's Suicide Squad, The Sentry could be the Enchantress equivalent.

The film's handling of The Sentry's forgotten past and his relation to other heroes, as well as its exploration of 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 about Thunderbolts*.