Will Sentry in ‘Thunderbolts’ Be a Hero or a Villain?

‘Thunderbolts’ is set to be the next major team-up film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), scheduled for release in May 2025. The movie brings together a unique group of characters, including Yelena Belova, Winter Soldier, Red Guardian, U.S. Agent, Ghost, and Taskmaster, who discover they have all been manipulated by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, the new CIA director. After barely escaping a deadly mission, these antiheroes and reformed villains band together for revenge against those who conspired against them, though they lack the cohesiveness of the Avengers.

The first trailer for ‘Thunderbolts’  provides some intriguing hints about the plot, which has largely been a mystery since the film’s announcement. It confirms major fan theories, particularly regarding the potential introduction of Sentry, a powerful character from Marvel Comics. In the trailer, Yelena Belova arrives at a mysterious facility and encounters Bob, played by Lewis Pullman. As the Thunderbolts members arrive one by one, it becomes evident that their mission is not what they expected, and Bob is far more significant than initially believed.

Image Courtesy: Screen Rant 

Speculation has long suggested that Sentry would make his debut in the MCU through this film, and the trailer strongly supports this theory. Though Sentry is not explicitly shown, Pullman’s character is widely believed to be Robert “Bob” Reynolds, Sentry’s alter ego. Originally, Steven Yeun was slated to portray Sentry but had to withdraw due to scheduling conflicts, leading to Pullman’s casting.

Sentry first appeared in ‘Sentry #1’ in 2000, created as Marvel’s darker version of Superman. Bob Reynolds gains immense power from a serum but struggles with his identity and the threat posed by his dark alter ego, the Void. As the movie approaches, fans are left wondering whether Sentry will emerge as a hero or villain in the MCU, as the character’s immense power raises questions about his role and impact on the overall narrative. Ultimately, his introduction could shift the balance of power within the Marvel Universe significantly.

–Farheen  Ali 

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