Marvel's upcoming Thunderbolts film remains largely mysterious, but a recent 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, 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 his potential role in Thunderbolts.
The Sentry: A Powerful, Unstable Force
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 with a devastating price: a dark alter ego, The Void. The Sentry's heroic acts are constantly countered by The Void's malevolent deeds, making Bob Reynolds' struggle for sanity a constant, losing battle. Yet, when immense power is needed, The Sentry is unmatched.
The Sentry's Abilities
The Sentry's abilities stem from an experimental serum, a post-WWII attempt to replicate the Super Soldier Serum. This serum supposedly 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 also absorb and project energy, enabling feats like energy blasts, teleportation, and subduing the Hulk. In essence, he's Marvel's equivalent of Superman.
The Void, however, is arguably even more formidable. This shape-shifting entity controls weather, manipulates minds, and has withstood the combined might of the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four. Even banishing it 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, even Bob Reynolds didn't remember his past as "The Golden Guardian of Good." Upon regaining his memories, he confronts The Void's return. His history with the Hulk and Fantastic Four is retroactively integrated 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, again erasing the world's memory of The Sentry, leaving his own recollection ambiguous.
The Sentry's Time with the Avengers
Initially a self-contained story, The Sentry later became a recurring Marvel character. He joined the New Avengers in 2004, alongside Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Luke Cage. Despite his power, he constantly battled to maintain his sanity and control The Void.
During the Civil War, he sided with Iron Man, highlighting his understanding of unchecked power's dangers. He played a crucial role in countering the Hulk in World War Hulk.
His downfall began during Dark Reign (2009), when Norman Osborn recruited him for the Dark Avengers. Osborn's gamble to control The Sentry failed, unleashing The Void during Siege (2010). The Sentry's death followed, though he's since been resurrected and killed again. The 2023 The Sentry series explores a new host for The Sentry's power.
The Sentry in Thunderbolts
The Sentry's MCU debut, portrayed by Lewis Pullman, marks his first significant appearance outside comics and mobile games. Initially, Steven Yeun was cast but scheduling conflicts led to his departure. Pullman joins the Thunderbolts ensemble, alongside Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and Red Guardian.
His precise role in Thunderbolts remains unclear, but his comic book history suggests a blend of hero and villain. He might initially be a member, only to become the team's greatest threat. Given the team's relatively limited powers, confronting The Sentry would be a monumental challenge.
Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might manipulate The Sentry, mirroring Norman Osborn's actions in the comics. The Sentry could be the film's equivalent of Suicide Squad's Enchantress.
The film may explore The Sentry's forgotten past within the MCU and his relationship to other heroes. The extent to which he'll be presented as a Superman analogue also remains to be seen. More details will emerge as Thunderbolts' 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*.
