Marvel's upcoming Thunderbolts film remains enigmatic, but the latest 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, potentially terrifying, consequences.

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

The Sentry: A Powerful, Perilous Hero

The Sentry is arguably the Marvel Universe's most potent, yet most dangerous, superhero. Once an ordinary man named 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 heroic deeds with acts of evil. Bob Reynolds' struggle against his inner darkness and for his sanity 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 abilities originate from a post-World War II experimental serum, a potential Super Soldier Serum replacement. This serum supposedly accelerates his molecules forward in time, granting him near-limitless powers. 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. Essentially, The Sentry is Marvel's equivalent to Superman.

The Void, however, is arguably even more formidable. This shape-shifting entity controls weather, manipulates minds, and has withstood the combined forces of the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four. Even banishing it to the sun proved only a temporary solution.

The Sentry's Secret Origin and Avenger Status

Created by Paul Jenkins, Rick Veitch, and Jae Lee, The Sentry debuted in 2000. Initially presented as a forgotten hero, even Bob Reynolds initially lacked memory of his past as "The Golden Guardian of Good." Reclaiming 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's collective memory of The Sentry was suppressed to protect it from The Void. Bob repeats this act to contain his dark side, erasing the world's memory, though his own memory remains ambiguous.

The Sentry joined the New Avengers in 2004, a powerful yet 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 during Dark Reign (2009), manipulated by Norman Osborn into joining the Dark Avengers. The Void's release during Siege (2010) led to The Sentry's demise, though he has since been resurrected and killed again. The 2023 The Sentry series explores a new host for The Sentry's power.

The Sentry in Thunderbolts

Beyond Marvel comics and appearances in mobile games, The Sentry will debut in the MCU's Thunderbolts (2025), portrayed by Lewis Pullman. (Originally cast as Steven Yeun, the role was recast due to scheduling conflicts and production delays).

The Sentry's specific role in Thunderbolts remains unclear, but his comic book history suggests a portrayal as both hero and villain. He might initially join the Thunderbolts, only to become their greatest threat. Given the team's relatively limited powers, confronting The Sentry would be a monumental challenge.

Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) might mirror Norman Osborn's role, exploiting The Sentry's power before losing control. The Sentry could function as the film's equivalent to Suicide Squad's Enchantress.

Whether the MCU will explore The Sentry's forgotten past and his ties to other heroes, and how closely it will adhere to 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 on Thunderbolts*.