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 Reynolds, 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: Power, Instability, and the Void
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 with a dark price: The Void, a malevolent alter ego mirroring The Sentry's good deeds with acts of evil. Bob's struggle to control his inner darkness is a constant, desperate battle.
The Sentry's Abilities
The Sentry's powers, derived from a post-WWII serum designed as a Super Soldier Serum alternative, seemingly accelerate his molecular timeline. This grants him incredible strength (rivaling Hulk and Thor), flight, super-speed, enhanced senses, and near invulnerability. He can manipulate and project energy, teleporting and even subduing the Hulk. He's essentially Marvel's version of Superman.
The Void, however, is arguably even more potent. This shapeshifting entity controls weather, manipulates minds, and has withstood the combined forces of the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four. Even banishing him to the sun proves 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." His rediscovery of his powers brought back The Void. His history with characters like the Hulk and Fantastic Four was retroactively woven into Marvel continuity.
The Sentry and The Void are two sides of the same coin. The world's collective memory of The Sentry was erased to protect it from The Void. Bob repeated this act to contain his dark side, leaving the question of his own memory ambiguous.
The Sentry as an Avenger and Beyond
The Sentry's role expanded beyond his initial miniseries. He joined the New Avengers in 2004, a powerful but unstable asset. He sided with Iron Man during the Civil War and played a crucial role against the Hulk in World War Hulk. However, his downfall began in Dark Reign (2009), manipulated by Norman Osborn into joining the Dark Avengers. The Void's release during Siege (2010) led to The Sentry's death, though he has since been resurrected and killed again. The 2023 The Sentry series explores a new host for his power.
The Sentry in Thunderbolts
The Sentry's MCU debut, played 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.
The Sentry's precise role remains unclear. His history suggests a dual role as hero and villain. He could start as a Thunderbolt member, only to become their greatest threat. Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might attempt to control him, mirroring Norman Osborn's actions in the comics.
The film's treatment of The Sentry's forgotten past and his Superman-esque nature remains to be seen. The Thunderbolts release date is May 2025.
Note: This article was originally published on November 17, 2023 and updated on September 23, 2024 with the latest information about Thunderbolts*.
