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 look at Lewis Pullman as Bob, aka The Sentry. This Superman-esque hero's MCU debut promises significant repercussions.

Who is The Sentry, and why is he considered both the Marvel Universe's greatest hero and its worst nightmare? 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 powerful, and 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, however, comes with a dark side: The Void. For every good deed The Sentry performs, The Void commits an evil act. Bob Reynolds' struggle against his inner darkness is a constant, losing battle. Yet, when a powerful hero is needed, The Sentry is unmatched.

The Sentry's Abilities

The Sentry's powers originate from a post-World War II serum, intended as a Super Soldier Serum alternative. This serum seemingly accelerates his molecules forward in time, granting him near-limitless abilities.

As The Sentry, Bob possesses strength rivaling the Hulk and Thor, flight, super-speed, enhanced senses, and near-invulnerability. He can absorb and project energy, enabling feats such as energy blasts, teleportation, and subduing the Hulk. He's essentially Marvel's version of Superman.

The Void, however, is arguably even more potent and dangerous. This shape-shifting, demonic entity controls weather, invades minds, and has withstood the combined forces of the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four. Even banishment to the sun proved only 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 debuted in 2000. 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 rediscovers his nemesis, The Void. The Sentry's history with characters like 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 erased to protect it from The Void. Bob, realizing his only option, repeats this act to contain his dark side. The ambiguity remains as to whether Bob himself truly forgets his superhuman identities.

The Sentry as an Avenger

While initially a self-contained story, The Sentry became a recurring Marvel character. He joined the New Avengers in 2004, alongside Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Luke Cage. Despite being a powerful asset, he struggles to maintain his sanity and control The Void.

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

His downfall began in Dark Reign (2009), where Norman Osborn manipulates him into joining the Dark Avengers. The Void is unleashed in Siege (2010), culminating in The Sentry's apparent death. Subsequent resurrections and deaths, alongside new stories, continue to explore his powers and the true nature of his duality. He was killed again in 2020's King in Black. Marvel's 2023 The Sentry series explores a new host for his power.

The Sentry's Role in Thunderbolts

Beyond appearances in Marvel mobile games, The Sentry's MCU debut in Thunderbolts is significant. Lewis Pullman portrays him, taking over from Steven Yeun who had to withdraw due to scheduling conflicts and the film's delayed release.

The Sentry's precise role in Thunderbolts is unclear. However, his comic book history suggests a portrayal as both powerful hero and terrifying villain. He might initially be a member of the Thunderbolts, only to become their worst nightmare. Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might exploit his power, losing control in the process. The Sentry could be the film's equivalent of Suicide Squad's Enchantress.

The film may or may not explore his forgotten past and connections within the MCU. His portrayal as a twisted Superman analogue 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*.