Exploring Bob’s Role in Thunderbolts*: Marvel’s Superman Debuts in the MCU

The highly anticipated first trailer for Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* has been released online, providing a glimpse into the film’s ensemble of anti-heroes. The trailer showcases familiar faces including Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, Wyatt Russell as John Walker, David Harbour as Red Guardian, and Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster, rounding out the team.

Additionally, the trailer introduced Lewis Pullman’s character Bob, who will portray the formidable villain Sentry, also known as Robert Reynolds in the comics.

In the comic universe, Sentry is recognized as one of the most powerful beings in the Marvel Universe, often compared to Superman. However, his intricate psyche and dark backstory differentiate him from DC’s Man of Steel. Sentry is often portrayed as a once-glorious hero burdened by his darker impulses.

Exploring Sentry’s Origins in the Thunderbolts* Trailer

Sentry made his comic book debut in Sentry #1 in July 2000, created by Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee. His backstory begins in 1947 when scientists attempted to recreate the Super Soldier Serum, but the project remained unfinished for three decades. In 1957, Robert Reynolds stumbled upon the Golden Sentry Serum in a lab and inadvertently gained his superpowers.

This transformation had deadly consequences, leading to the demise of his partner and the lab guards, which drew the attention of Project: Sentry, an organization intent on utilizing his powers for experimentation. Realizing their intentions were not noble, Robert vowed to use his powers for good, crafting his suit and unveiling himself as the Sentry to the world.

As a conventional superhero, Sentry fell in love with Lindy and entered into marriage. Nevertheless, she became concerned about his struggle with addiction to meth, an issue that exacerbated his darker persona, known as the Void, a monstrous reflection of his inner turmoil.

To eradicate the Void, Sentry enlisted the help of Reed Richards and Doctor Strange, resulting in a collective amnesia that erased his existence from everyone’s memory, thus banishing the Void.

Years later, Robert learned that Paul Jenkins had unwittingly retained his memories, which allowed Sentry’s legacy to persist through comic publications.

What is the Storyline of Thunderbolts*?

With Sentry making his debut in the upcoming Thunderbolts* film, the trailer hints at a larger threat that the group must confront. While specific plot details are still elusive, it appears that each character undertakes individual missions that ultimately converge with Bob in a secure facility.

The exact role of Sentry in the narrative is yet to be fully revealed, but the trailer suggests a “forgotten hero”storyline, as he is briefly shown in a hospital gown, grappling with confusion about his circumstances. The film also features Julia Louis-Dreyfus reprising her role as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.

Writer Jake Schreier, known for his contributions to the MCU through Black Widow and Thor: Ragnarok, is at the helm of *Thunderbolts*, which is set to be released in theaters on May 2, 2025. Schreier is acclaimed for his work on films like Robot & Frank (2012) and Paper Towns (2015), as well as several episodes of the acclaimed A24 series Beef (2023).

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