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The upcoming Marvel film, *Thunderbolts\**, has just given fans a tantalizing glimpse with its latest Big Game trailer, spotlighting Lewis Pullman as Bob, aka The Sentry. This Superman-esque hero's entry into the MCU is highly anticipated, and with good reason—Bob Reynolds, as The Sentry, is both the Marvel Universe's greatest hero and its most terrifying nightmare.

Let's delve into the multifaceted world of The Sentry, exploring his origins, powers, and how he might influence the plot of *Thunderbolts\**. Here are the key topics we'll cover:

Who Is Lewis Pullman’s Thunderbolts* Character The Sentry? The Sentry’s Powers and Abilities The Sentry’s Secret Origin The Sentry As an Avenger How The Sentry Fits Into the Thunderbolts* Movie

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Who Is Lewis Pullman’s Thunderbolts* Character The Sentry?

The Sentry is arguably the most powerful and dangerous superhero in the Marvel Universe. Originally an ordinary man named Bob Reynolds, he gained immense power after consuming a serum that granted him "the power of a million exploding suns." However, this power has a dark side—Bob's alter ego, The Void, represents his inner darkness and often commits evil acts to counteract his heroic deeds. The battle to maintain his sanity against The Void's influence is relentless, yet when the world needs a formidable hero, The Sentry is unparalleled.

The Sentry’s Powers and Abilities

The Sentry's abilities derive from an experimental serum designed as a potential replacement for the Super Soldier Serum post-World War II. This serum accelerates his molecules forward in time, granting him an array of near-limitless powers. As The Sentry, Bob's strength rivals that of the Hulk and Thor, and he possesses flight, super-speed, enhanced senses, and near-invulnerability. He can also absorb and project energy, enabling him to perform feats such as energy blasts, teleportation, and even calming a rampaging Hulk. In essence, The Sentry is Marvel's answer to Superman.

Conversely, as The Void, Bob's power escalates to even more dangerous levels. The Void is a shape-shifting, demonic entity capable of weather manipulation and mind infestation. It has withstood the collective might of the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four, and even being thrown into the sun has only been a temporary solution.

The Sentry Cheat Sheet

First Appearance: The Sentry #1 (2000)

Creators: Paul Jenkins, Rick Veitch, & Jae Lee

Aliases: The Void, Golden Man, The Golden Guardian of Good

Current Team: None (formerly New Avengers, Mighty Avengers, Dark Avengers)

Recommended 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 first appeared in the 2000 miniseries of the same name. The story introduces Bob Reynolds, a seemingly ordinary man, as a forgotten hero known as "The Golden Guardian of Good." As Bob regains his memories, he also unleashes The Void, his arch-nemesis. Throughout the series, The Sentry's history with other Marvel heroes is established, and he is woven into the fabric of Marvel continuity.

The narrative reveals that The Sentry and The Void are two sides of the same coin, and to protect the world from The Void's wrath, the collective memory of The Sentry was erased. Bob eventually repeats this act to keep his dark side at bay, though it remains unclear whether he himself has forgotten his superhuman identities.

Art by Bryan Hitch. (Image Credit: Marvel)

The Sentry As an Avenger

Following the initial miniseries, The Sentry became a recurring character in the Marvel Universe, joining the New Avengers in 2004. He was introduced as a self-imposed prisoner on The Raft, stepping in to thwart a massive supervillain breakout and subsequently joining the team. Despite his immense power, The Sentry struggled to maintain his sanity and keep The Void under control.

During the 2006 Civil War, The Sentry aligned with Iron Man's pro-registration faction, aware of the potential dangers of unchecked power. He played a critical role in World War Hulk (2007) by protecting the world from the Hulk's wrath. However, his downfall began during the Dark Reign storyline (2009), where Norman Osborn manipulated him into joining the Dark Avengers. This manipulation culminated in the Siege event (2010), where The Void was unleashed during an attack on Asgard, leading to The Sentry's death.

Since then, The Sentry has been resurrected and killed multiple times, with ongoing stories exploring the duality of his powers and identity. The 2023 series delves into what happens when The Sentry's power seeks a new host, raising questions about who will bear the burden of The Void.

The Void art by Olivier Coipel. (Image Credit: Marvel)

How The Sentry Fits Into the Thunderbolts* Movie

While The Sentry has been primarily a comic book character, with limited appearances in mobile games like Marvel Puzzle Quest and Marvel Snap, his MCU debut in *Thunderbolts\** is eagerly awaited. Originally, Steven Yeun was set to play The Sentry, but scheduling conflicts due to the film's delay from 2024 to 2025 led to Lewis Pullman taking on the role.

In *Thunderbolts\**, Pullman's Sentry will not star in a standalone project but will join a cast that includes familiar MCU characters like Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and Red Guardian. The exact role The Sentry will play in the film remains unclear, but given his comic book history, it's likely he will be portrayed as both a powerful hero and a menacing villain. He might start as a member of the Thunderbolts, only to become their greatest threat when he loses control.

The film might mirror elements of the Dark Avengers comics, with Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine potentially exploiting The Sentry's power, much like Norman Osborn did. If *Thunderbolts\** follows the theme of a Marvel version of *Suicide Squad*, The Sentry could parallel the Enchantress character.

It remains to be seen whether the MCU will explore The Sentry's status as a forgotten hero with deep ties to the superhero community or how much it will emphasize his parallels with DC's Superman. As we approach the May 2025 release of *Thunderbolts\**, more details will undoubtedly emerge.

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For more insights into the future of the MCU, check out our detailed analysis of the ending of *Deadpool & Wolverine* and explore the full list of upcoming Marvel movies and shows.

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