Lightning* is the next epic team-up film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Slated for release on May 2, 2025, the film unites several heroes from the franchise, including Yelena Belova, the Winter Soldier, the Red Guardian, U.S. Agent, Ghost, and Taskmaster, as they realize that they have all been framed by the same person, the new CIA Director, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. After narrowly surviving their suicide mission, these reformed anti-heroes and villains join forces to exact revenge on the people who wanted them dead, even if they don't form as close-knit a team as the Avengers.
The first trailer hints at the plot of Lightning*which has remained largely a mystery since the film was first announced. This first look confirms some of the major fan theories about the film, including the introduction of an extremely powerful Marvel character. The trailer sees Yelena Belova arrive at a mysterious facility, where she encounters a seemingly a modest man named Bob, played by Top Gun: The Legend Continues star Lewis Pullman. Bob seems surprised that someone was sent to him, only to find that the other members of the Thunderbolts are arriving one at a time. The doors suddenly close, locking them all in. None of the characters are sure what is happening, but two things become clear: 1.) Their mission was not what they thought it was, and 2.) Bob is much more than just a target.
Thunderbolts* finally introduces Sentry
The Mysterious “Bob” From the Thunderbolts Trailer Is Bob Reynolds
Theories have long held that Lightning* will finally introduce Sentry to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The first trailer for the upcoming film pretty much confirms this theory. While Sentry is never shown in all his glory, there is no doubt that Lewis Pullman plays the powerful superhero. Comic book fans know that Sentry's real name is Robert “Bob” Reynolds. Few other characters in the Marvel Universe go of “Bob,” virtually confirming that Pullman's character is none other than Bob Reynolds. Even if Pullman were playing a different Marvel character, the studio wouldn't tease fans in the trailer if they were going to subvert expectations and leave the Sentry out of the film. Audiences can rest assured that this is indeed the Sentry.
It was originally reported that Invincible AND The Walking Dead star Steven Yeun would play the Sentinel in Lightning*. However, the film was delayed along with several other Marvel projects, and Yeun was forced to drop out due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts before filming began. Lewis Pullman was cast as his replacement shortly thereafter. Now, Pullman has the chance to bring one of Marvel’s most powerful characters ever to live-action for the first time ever. Yeun, on the other hand, can hope to find a different role somewhere in the MCU.
Who is Sentry in Marvel Comics?
Sentry is one of the most powerful (and complicated) characters in Marvel Comics.
Sentry made his Marvel Comics debut in Sentinel #1 (2000) by Paul Jenkins, Jae Lee, Jose Villarubia, Richard Starkings and Wes Abbott. The character was conceived as Marvel's answer to Superman, with a dark twist. In Sentinel #1, an unfortunate Bob Reynolds suddenly remembers that he used to be a superhero with incredible powers. Years earlier, he stumbled upon a special serum that gave him “the power of a million explosive suns” and began a crime-fighting career alongside heroes like the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, and Spider-Man. During his career, the Sentry battled the evil Void, his arch-nemesis who threatened to destroy the entire world. However, it was eventually discovered that the Sentry and the Void were one and the same, as Bob suffered from dissociative identity disorder. To protect the world from his unspeakable power, Bob erased Sentry from the memory of everyone in the world, including himself.Even though the Sentry had been a part of the Marvel Universe for years, no one remembered him until much later.
Eventually, the Sentry returned, becoming known as one of Marvel's most powerful heroes in the years that followed. However, after his return, Bob always struggled with a growing fear of his own power, which he feared would one day be beyond his control. Furthermore, the threat of the Void always loomed on the horizon, especially during times when Bob's mental health was at its weakest. Once, Norman Osborn even manipulated Bob into embracing his Void personality. and join the Dark Avengers, though this proved to be a terrible mistake. For the most part, the Sentry has been a hero in his Marvel Comics history, but there always remains the possibility that Earth's Mightiest Heroes might one day be forced to eliminate him.
What is Sentry's role in Thunderbolts*?
Sentry could be a hero or a villain in the MCU
Even after the first trailer, fans are unsure what role Sentry will play in Lightning* will be. It appears that he has been held captive in a government facility for some time, potentially years or even decades. This could suggest that the MCU will adapt the Sentry's complicated backstory, revealing that he has been part of the franchise for years but is no longer remembered. Instead, he could be revealed to be a government creation that some officials are using for their own potentially evil purposes. This raises the question of whether the Sentry will be a hero or a villain in the MCU.
A character as powerful as Sentry would be difficult to keep around in the MCU for very long. Characters with high power levels often render other heroes useless and lower the stakes for viewers. It might make more sense for the MCU to use Sentry as the main villain than Lightning*giving the starting team someone far out of their league to fight. Powerful villains are much more compelling than powerful heroes, and Sentry might perhaps be better served as an antagonist, with a limited presence in the MCU.
While his role in the film remains unclear, it has finally been confirmed that Sentry will make his first appearance in Lightning*His introduction will forever change the balance of power in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as he unleashes the power of a million explosive suns on an unsuspecting world.