Marvel Studios is set to introduce a formidable new villain in the upcoming film Thunderbolts*, steering clear of a common pitfall that has historically diminished many antagonists within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film will showcase one of the most compelling characters from the comics: Lewis Pullman will portray Robert Reynolds, a.k.a. the Sentry, who is often regarded as Marvel’s answer to Superman.
Pullman steps into the role following Steven Yeun’s departure from the project earlier in January 2024. Speculation about Pullman’s character has been rife, and recent trailers have confirmed his casting as the Sentry. However, the character is not without complexity; he harbors a dark alter ego known as the Void. This shadowy persona is anticipated to serve as the main antagonist in Thunderbolts*, with the trailer hinting at the character’s harrowing nature. Fortunately for fans, this isn’t just a one-off villain appearance.
Lewis Pullman Will Return as the Sentry in Avengers: Doomsday
Lewis Pullman Joins Much of the Thunderbolts* Ensemble in Avengers: Doomsday
Marvel Studios officially announced the initial cast for Avengers: Doomsday during a chair-laying ceremony on March 26. Among the 27 actors confirmed to reprise their roles are much of the Thunderbolts* cast, excluding Olga Kurylenko’s Taskmaster. Alongside talents like Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen, and Sebastian Stan, Pullman’s return as Robert Reynolds, the Sentry, has been affirmed after his debut in May 2025.
|
MCU Thunderbolts Member |
Actor |
Debut Project |
|---|---|---|
|
Bucky Barnes’ Winter Soldier |
Sebastian Stan |
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) |
|
Ava Starr’s Ghost |
Hannah John-Kamen |
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) |
|
John Walker’s US Agent |
Wyatt Russell |
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021) |
|
Yelena Belova’s Black Widow |
Florence Pugh |
Black Widow (2021) |
|
Alexei Shostakov’s Red Guardian |
David Harbour |
Black Widow (2021) |
|
Antonia Dreykov’s Taskmaster |
Olga Kurylenko |
Black Widow (2021) |
|
Robert Reynolds’ Sentry |
Lewis Pullman |
Thunderbolts* (2025) |
The Sentry and his fellow Thunderbolts members will unite with heroes such as the Avengers and the Fantastic Four to confront Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday. With Pullman’s involvement confirmed for Phase 6, speculation has intensified that the Sentry could evolve into Doctor Doom’s ultimate weapon. The direction Marvel Studios takes the Sentry in Doomsday promises to be intriguing. This development marks a potential resolution to one of Marvel’s longstanding villain challenges.
I’m Relieved That the Sentry Will Not Be a One-and-Done Villain in Thunderbolts*
Thunderbolts* Will Not Conclude the Sentry’s MCU Journey
Throughout its 17-year history, the MCU has seen numerous iconic villains reduced to mere shadows of their comic-book counterparts. A multitude of former powerful adversaries, historically rich in storyline potential, have unfortunately only appeared once. Fortunately, Lewis Pullman’s portrayal of the Sentry, and his darker persona, the Void, will avoid this unfortunate trend by appearing again in Avengers: Doomsday. This offers hope that Robert Reynolds can become one of the MCU’s most complex characters, navigating the fine line between heroism and villainy.
Several legendary villains have faced this fate before, including the Red Skull, Iron Monger, and Ultron, leaving fans disappointed by their fleeting appearances. Many of Marvel’s most exciting characters have suffered from this trend, but with Pullman’s Sentry, there is a unique opportunity to portray some of the most powerful moments from Marvel Comics on the big screen.
The Sentry’s Return Paves the Way for Iconic Marvel Comics Moments
The Sentry Is Among Marvel’s Most Intriguing Characters
The possibility of Lewis Pullman remaining a pivotal character in the MCU opens the door for adaptations of some of his most iconic comic-book moments. Since his introduction in 2000’s The Sentry #1, Robert Reynolds has proven to possess extraordinary abilities, utilizing the power of a million exploding suns, making him one of Marvel’s most significant figures. His narrative includes confrontations with formidable opponents such as Galactus’s heralds, Loki, and Doctor Strange, as well as teaming up and battling with the Avengers.
Some of the Sentry’s most memorable moments involve intense battles where he has physically dismantled powerful foes, including Carnage and Ares. Although these themes might be too graphic for the MCU, there are many stories yet to be told. One of the Sentry’s most remarkable encounters concludes the infamous World War Hulk event, where he engages the Hulk in a climactic conflict that destroys the city and ultimately restores Bruce Banner. Should such pivotal scenes be adapted in the future, it will undoubtedly be worthwhile to keep Lewis Pullman’s Sentry in the spotlight for years to come.