James Johnson
The rising star opens up about honoring the comic legacy of the Sentry while bringing his own soul to Marvel’s newest on-screen enigma.
Lewis Pullman has officially entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe—and he’s doing it with gravity and grace. Making his debut as Robert “Bob” Reynolds, also known as the Sentry, in Thunderbolts★, Pullman steps into one of Marvel’s most complex and psychologically layered characters with a performance that’s already generating buzz among fans and critics alike.
In the film, which premiered last weekend, Pullman’s portrayal of Reynolds introduces audiences to a being of near-limitless power who also battles profound inner demons. For Pullman, taking on such a role required more than just donning the iconic suit. It meant diving deep into the emotional and philosophical tensions that define the Sentry’s story.
“I wanted to do justice to what people loved about this character from the comics,” Pullman says. “But when you leap from the page to the frame, you bring a piece of yourself whether you like it or not.”
It’s this blend of reverence and personal interpretation that has helped Pullman breathe new life into a hero often defined by contradiction. In the comics, Reynolds is a man split between the godlike power of the Sentry and the dark chaos of his alter ego, the Void—a duality that mirrors the best and worst of humanity. Pullman approached this not as a special-effects spectacle, but as a deeply human story.
“Bob’s journey is about the light and the shadow within all of us,” he notes. “He’s not just a hero. He’s a man trying to figure out what it means to be whole.”
This layered performance marks a significant milestone in Pullman’s rising career. Known for roles in films like Top Gun: Maverick and Bad Times at the El Royale, he has consistently brought emotional depth to his characters. But in Thunderbolts★, Pullman proves he can command both blockbuster scale and intimate nuance—making him a perfect fit for a character as mythic and tormented as Bob Reynolds.
As the MCU continues to evolve, the introduction of the Sentry signals a bold new chapter. And with Lewis Pullman behind the mask, fans can expect a portrayal that is not only powerful—but profoundly personal.
Marvel’s Thunderbolts★ is now playing in theaters.
