Who is Bob in Thunderbolts*? New Character Identity Explained

Get ready, MCU fans, because some exciting news about Thunderbolts is here. If you haven’t watched the trailer yet, you’re missing out! It’s packed with familiar faces like Ghost, Bucky, Yelena, Taskmaster, and U.S. Agent going head-to-head in what looks like a superhero brawl in a giant warehouse.

But there’s one new face amid all this chaos: Bob. Yes, Bob. He doesn’t get a flashy entrance or a dramatic slow-mo scene, but somehow, he’s right there with the other Thunderbolts. He’s standing around with bullet holes in his shirt, looking like he’s wondering why he’s not dead yet.

Sentry: Marvel’s “Not-So-Subtle” Superman

Florence Pugh and Sebastian Stan at an event for Thunderbolts
Florence Pugh and Sebastian Stan at an event for Thunderbolts | Source: IMDb

For those unfamiliar, Sentry is basically Marvel’s version of Superman—except with a twist. This guy is seriously powerful, like “power of a million exploding suns” powerful. And the irony? They’ve named this ultra-powerful superhero Bob.

Let’s break it down. Bob, in his universe, is actually Robert Reynolds, an everyday average-joe who stumbles upon the Sentry Serum. But his appearance in Thunderbolts* seems to be a bit sudden, which suggests that there’s a lot more than what meets the eye.

Sentry has battled his darker half, the Void, had his memory erased by Doctor Strange, and teamed up with the likes of Spider-Man and the X-Men. He’s not just any superhero—he’s a ticking time bomb in human form. He’s got a way too long origin story to just disappear after a while.

What’s the Clue Marvel Dropped About Bob?

Thunderbolts Poster
Thunderbolts Poster | Source: IMDb

Marvel trailers are known for being tricky, but if you look closely, they always drop hints. In the trailer, Bob is seen standing with his hands up as soldiers point their guns at him. It looks like he’s on the brink of getting shot.

There are bullet holes in his shirt, but he’s totally fine. That’s the big clue here. Sentry is pretty much immune to gunfire, which explains why Bob’s walking around like nothing happened. This immunity to gunfire will surely play a huge role in the series, because duh, it’s a superhero fantasy series.

Sentry is usually depicted floating around and tossing cars like it’s no big deal, but the Thunderbolts are all about keeping things low-key until the right moment. Would this shift the dynamics of the show and make it a bit more climatic every minute? Only time will tell.

What Makes Sentry So Dangerous?

Thunderbolts Poster
Thunderbolts Poster | Source: Marvel

Here’s where it gets interesting. Bob might seem like an ordinary guy dealing with life’s struggles, but there’s more to him than meets the eye. Marvel doesn’t waste screen time on a random character unless there’s something major behind it. And that’s where Bob’s true identity starts to shine.

The really intriguing thing about Sentry is that, he can not only fly into space and flip cars around and punch through walls, but also has a much deeper, darker side as well. Enter the Void: Sentry’s chaotic, destructive alter ego who can obliterate entire universes.

Sentry has been able to keep the Void at bay so far, but Marvel wouldn’t introduce a character like this without planning to unleash his full potential. So, if you think Bob is just going to be some background player, think again. He’s got the powers of Superman, if not more, a seemingly non-existent Kryptonite, and a universe full of opportunities of creating disorder (or maintaining any order, if that’s the case).

Who’s Playing Bob?

At first, Steven Yeun (yep, Glenn from The Walking Dead) was supposed to play Bob, but due to scheduling conflicts, the role went to Lewis Pullman. You might recognize Pullman from Top Gun: Maverick.

He might not be as well-known as Yeun, but he’s got the talent to bring Bob’s complex character to life. Plus, the MCU has a history of casting underrated actors who go on to deliver standout performances. Trust us, Pullman is about to follow in those footsteps.

Marvel fans, keep an eye on Bob—he might just be the most unexpected game-changer in Thunderbolts. And make sure to get your best earphones/speakers on the job; because the normal speakers won’t fulfil the needs of this supercharged superhero!

Watch Thunderbolts* on:

About Thunderbolts*

Thunderbolts* is an upcoming American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics team Thunderbolts. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is intended to be the 36th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film is directed by Jake Schreier and written by Eric Pearson, Lee Sung Jin, and Joanna Calo. It stars an ensemble cast featuring David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, Olga Kurylenko, and Florence Pugh. In the film, a group of antiheroes goes on missions for the government.

Marvel Studios began teasing the formation of a Thunderbolts team within the MCU in 2021. The film was revealed to be in development in June 2022, when Schreier and Pearson were attached. The film’s main cast members were revealed that September, followed by additional casting through early 2023. Lee joined to rewrite the film’s script by March 2023, one of several creatives who returned to work with Schreier from the Netflix series Beef (2023). Production was delayed due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes, causing some actors to leave the project and be replaced in early 2024, when Calo joined. Filming took place from February to June 2024 at Trilith Studios and Atlanta Metro Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, with additional filming in Utah.

Thunderbolts* is scheduled to be released in the United States on May 2, 2025, as the last film of Phase Five of the MCU.

Epic Dope Staff

Epic Dope Staff

Our talented team of Freelance writers - Always on the lookout - pour their energies into a wide range of topics bringing to our audience what they crave - fun up-to-date news, reviews, fan theories and much much more.

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