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, 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 terrifying threat? Let's explore this mentally unstable hero's history and potential role in Thunderbolts.

The Sentry: Unveiling Lewis Pullman's Character

The Sentry is arguably the Marvel Universe's most powerful, and most dangerous, superhero. Once an ordinary man, Bob Reynolds, he gained "the power of a million exploding suns" from an experimental serum. This immense power comes at a terrible price: a dark alter ego, 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 surpass The Sentry.

The Sentry's Abilities and Powers

The Sentry's powers originate from a post-WWII experimental serum, intended as a Super Soldier Serum alternative. This serum reportedly accelerates his molecular structure, granting him near-limitless abilities. His strength rivals the Hulk and Thor; he possesses flight, super-speed, enhanced senses, and near invulnerability. He can absorb and project energy, enabling feats like energy blasts, teleportation, and subduing the Hulk. In essence, The Sentry is Marvel's answer to Superman.

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

The Sentry: Key Facts

• First Appearance: The Sentry #1 (2000)
• Creators: Paul Jenkins, Rick Veitch, & Jae Lee
• Aliases: The Void, Golden Man, The Golden Guardian of Good
• Team Affiliations: (formerly) New Avengers, Mighty Avengers, Dark Avengers
• Essential 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 miniseries. Initially presented as a forgotten hero, even Bob Reynolds—a middle-aged, overweight man—had no memory of his heroic past. Upon regaining his memories, he confronts The Void's return. His history with 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 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 Sentry miniseries was self-contained, the character became a recurring figure in the Marvel Universe. He joined the New Avengers in 2004, alongside Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Luke Cage. Despite his power, he struggles to maintain his sanity and control The Void.

During the Civil War (2006), he sided with Iron Man's pro-registration faction, understanding the dangers of unchecked power. He played a crucial role in countering the Hulk in World War Hulk (2007).

However, his downfall begins in Dark Reign (2009), where Norman Osborn manipulates him into joining the Dark Avengers. Osborn's gamble to control The Sentry fails, unleashing The Void in Siege (2010). The Sentry's death follows, though resurrections and subsequent deaths have occurred since, with his story continuing to explore the nature of his powers and the duality of The Sentry and The Void. 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 limited appearances in Marvel mobile games, The Sentry's MCU debut with Lewis Pullman in Thunderbolts (2025) is significant. He joins familiar faces like Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and Red Guardian.

His precise role remains unclear, but his comic book history suggests a portrayal as both hero and villain. Will he initially be a Thunderbolts member, only to become their nemesis? The team's comparatively limited powers suggest a monumental challenge against The Sentry.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might mirror Norman Osborn's role from the comics, exploiting The Sentry's power before losing control. If Thunderbolts is a Marvel version of Suicide Squad, The Sentry could be the Enchantress equivalent.

The MCU's treatment of The Sentry's forgotten past and his Superman-esque nature remains to be seen. More details will emerge closer to the May 2025 release date.

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