Warning: This article contains spoilers for Thunderbolts*.
Thunderbolts* presents an unexpected Marvel Cinematic Universe villain: a seemingly ordinary man named Bob, wandering around in his pajamas.
But he’s more than just Bob. Played by Lewis Pullman, Bob is being experimented on by a CIA director, aiming to create and control her own superhuman. She recruits vulnerable subjects to develop her own version of the super-soldier serum that transformed Steve Rogers into Captain America.
However, as someone points out in the movie, injecting someone like Steve Rogers with the serum creates the ultimate super-soldier. Injecting someone unstable yields unpredictable results. Here’s what you need to know about Bob and his two identities: Sentry and the Void.
Bob isn’t the only subject of Val’s experiments, but he’s the only survivor. Val throws Bob’s presumed corpse into a bunker to be destroyed along with other evidence.
When facing a congressional investigation, Val decides to burn down the bunker with several of her assassins inside, including Yelena, Wyatt Russell’s , and . They find Bob, who is revealed to be bulletproof, capable of flight, and able to see people’s darkest memories through touch.
Bob struggles with mental health issues. The film reveals his abusive father, his past meth addiction, and his dark fantasies. He tells Yelena about manic highs followed by terrible lows, often blacking out and doing terrible things. The serum appears to worsen his symptoms, creating two personalities.
Val intends to present Sentry as her personal triumph, even designing his costume, hair, and name. Initially, Sentry enjoys his new role as a superhero, described by Val as more powerful than all the Avengers. He develops grandiose ideas, calling himself a god. (Though, one of the Avengers is a god, so Sentry could be considered one too.)
When Val loses control of Sentry and tries to eliminate him, they inadvertently create the supervillain The Void. The Void seems to obliterate people on the streets of New York, turning them into shadows. In reality, he’s pulling them into a maze-like reality made of his victims’ worst memories, as well as his own trauma. Eventually, Yelena helps Bob escape his dark side, saving the city.
Sentry officially joins the new super-team, briefly named the Thunderbolts (after Yelena’s soccer team) and later rebranded as the New Avengers by Valentina. He will likely fight alongside Yelena, Red Guardian (David Harbour), Bucky Barnes (), John Walker (Russell), and Ghost (John-Kamen) in future films.
What is the origin of Sentry and the Void in the comics?
In the comics, Robert Reynolds (Bob) has schizophrenia and anxiety. He steals an experimental serum, believing it to be drugs, from his science professor. But the serum turns out to be a super soldier serum.
Bob becomes both a hero and a villain. His good side becomes Sentry, while his dark side becomes the Void. The Void can disintegrate victims into shadow.
What will Sentry’s role be in and Avengers: Secret Wars?
In a post-credits scene for Thunderbolts*, the newly formed super-team—now called the New Avengers—laments being mostly “punchers and shooters.” Bob, enjoying a burger and milkshake, apologizes for not controlling his powers. He fears the Void will emerge if he uses his Sentry powers against aliens, HYDRA agents, or other threats.
Bob might need to control his powers soon. Yelena shows satellite imagery of an inter-dimensional ship entering Earth’s atmosphere, bearing a symbol. , coming out later this year, is set in a parallel universe. Their arrival could be a sign of dangerous events to come.