We all met the Sentry in Thunderbolts* and he really was a sight to behold. Lewis Pullman did a truly magnificant job of bringing Marvel Studios' version of the classic comic book character to life, enriching his story with a nuanced performance that has quickly etched him among the most compelling characters they have ever tackled. Two decades and 36 movies into a franchise, that's no easy feat.
Robert "Bob" Reynolds struggled with his mental health, which allowed for Sentry's darker alter-ego - The Void - to take control of him in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movie. It created a challenge for the rest of the Thunderbolts to attempt to overcome - a challenge that almost made them go their separate ways.
Thunderbolts* is a triumph of an MCU movie and we know that the majority of the cast will return in Avengers: Doomsday. That includes Bob, who may end up having a significantly larger role in the movie than you might think.
Lewis Pullman on Sentry's role in Avengers: Doomsday and the dangers he could pose
Thunderbolts* star Lewis Pullman recently sat down with Men's Health Magazine and discussed his role as Bob / Sentry / The Void in the MCU. As well as the success of the character in Thunderbolts*, he discussed his upcoming return in Avengers: Doomsday, teasing fans with what they can expect in the upcoming movie.
"The Thunderbolts don’t want to let him out of their sight, because they realize that if he’s caught in the wrong hands, or if he’s not being supported enough by the right people, he might be dangerous. But they also want to keep him close in case they can figure out a way to use him. He’s a very good asset."
From Thunderbolts*, it's clear that Bob can be used by those who wish to exploit his power. Valentina attempted to do this and, if it hadn't been for the Thunderbolts themselves, the world might have been enveloped by The Void. Now, he's aligned himself with the team (now known as the New Avengers) - not because they can keep him safe, but because they are genuinely his friends. They care about him, and having that safe space might just keep him - and everyone else - safe from his darker other half.
And yet, Pullman's comments are interesting as fans are speculating that The Void could have a bigger role to play in Avengers: Doomsday. We know that Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom will be at the center of that film, but could The Void end up being used by him?
Pullman's involvement does suggest that the Sentry will return in either one of Avengers: Doomsday and / or Avengers: Secret Wars, but could The Void make an appearance too? Since Doomsday will be part one of the story, audiences are anticipating a cliffhanger of tragic proportions much like the one we saw in Avengers: Infinity War (that eventually set up the Avengers' victorious comeback in Avengers: Endgame the following year). Captain America: Brave New World star Anthony Mackie pretty much confirmed as much, which suggests that the Avengers will be poised for a comeback in Avengers: Secret Wars.
Sentry will undoubtedly be involved in that victorious comeback, but in order for that to happen, the heroes will likely have to suffer a great defeat at the hands of Doctor Doom first. If that's the case, how does one take the all-powerful Sentry out of the equation? The Void, that's how.
We know that Bob is currently with the New Avengers. Thunderbolts* post-credits scene is set in and around the time that Avengers: Doomsday will take place, and Bob is still by their side (even without powers). Should Doctor Doom need a way to take him out of the equation, he could end up using The Void against him, separating him from all of his loved ones and allowing that darkness to open te gates to his eventual, multiversal victory. Victor von Doom is a genius, remember, so if he knows that The Void is the key to his success, you can be sure that he will use him.
Avengers: Doomsday arrives in movie theaters on May 1, 2026.