The Enigmatic Role of The Sentry in Thunderbolts: Hero or Villain?

There has been continuous speculation about the introduction of The Sentry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe through Thunderbolts, with Lewis Pullman cast in the role. However, even with the announcement of his character, referred to as ‘Bob’—possibly a reference to Robert Reynolds, The Sentry—there remains uncertainty surrounding the true nature of his character within the storyline.

Lewis Pullman seems to be just as perplexed about the nature of his role as the audience is. His character could venture into both heroism and villainy throughout the film. Historically, while The Sentry has acted heroically, he has also grappled with darker impulses, at times aligning with destructive forces such as The Void, an ominous entity linked to his psyche.

In a conversation with GamesRadar+, Pullman expressed his curiosity about his character's true alignment in Thunderbolts. Given The Sentry's ambiguous moral compass, it's plausible that he could indeed portray this complex figure. His comments reflected the thrill that comes with entering a vast universe filled with uncertainties, indicating that he is ready to embrace whatever the narrative unveils.

There's a possibility that Pullman might portray a different character altogether, but clues in the Thunderbolts teaser suggest that he could play The Sentry after all. This character might represent a government endeavor to replicate a super-soldier after John Walker’s shortcomings. Alternatively, he could be part of a private initiative aimed at creating heroes, reminiscent of how Justin Hammer engaged with the US military.

Considering the increasing influence of nations like Wakanda, Talokan, and New Asgard in global affairs, the The United States may discover itself in a scenario where it needs to bolster its capabilities with government-initiated superheroes. With President Thunderbolt Ross evolving into the Red Hulk and The Sentry potentially being a state-sponsored hero, a looming power imbalance could threaten the dominance the United States has constructed within the MCU.

There are ongoing doubts regarding the possibility that the government could be attempting to form a new iteration of the Avengers, similar to what Ross aims to persuade Sam about in Captain America: Brave New World. This might pave the way for the rise of The Dark Avengers, presenting themselves as adversaries to the Avengers in future films, weaving together much-needed continuity in the franchise ahead of the upcoming Doomsday and Secret Wars narratives.

Thunderbolts is anticipated to hit theaters soon on May 2, 2025.