Thunderbolts* may be about to introduce the MCU’s most powerful character yet, but it doesn’t have to be an issue. It is hard to imagine anyone as powerful as an Infinity Gauntlet-wielding Thanos, but the Multiverse Saga has debuted some clear contenders so far. With Loki holding the multiverse together, Death herself intervening in human affairs, and Eternity granting the wish of resurrection, the MCU has never exuded as much power. Thankfully, most of these powerful MCU enтιтies are either good-natured or dispᴀssionate, unwilling to intervene with mortal affairs for nefarious purposes.

Thunderbolts* may be about to shift this dynamic. The MCU’s most powerful villains are typically reserved for the likes of the Avengers to tackle, but the weaker cohort of down-and-out antiheroes and reformed villains that comprise the Thunderbolts may be completely out of their depth. While this has led to the ᴀssumption that some, if not all, of the Thunderbolts won’t survive their debut movie, I’m concerned that the survival of their main adversary will have huge implications on the wider MCU.

Thunderbolts* Is Set To Introduce Sentry, Marvel’s Version Of Superman

Sentry Is One Of Marvel’s Most Powerful Characters

Lewis Pullman’s Bob is an adaptation of Marvel Comics’ Robert Reynolds, whose superhero persona is Sentry. After Reynolds inadvertently consumes a concentrated form of the super soldier serum dubbed the Golden Sentry Serum, he receives the power of a million exploding suns. This, unsurprisingly, makes Sentry one of the most powerful enтιтies in Marvel Comics, with powers that evolve into near-omnipotence. These include:

• Superhuman Strength
• Superhuman Speed
• Superhuman Intelligence
• Energy Projection
• Flight
• Psionics
• Molecular Manipulation

Sentry has broken all of Hulk’s bones, resurrected his wife, and killed the God of War, Ares. Unfortunately, Sentry’s troubled mind (and the manipulation of the mutant, Mastermind) gave way to a destructive and all-powerful force known as the Void – a dark reflection of Bob Reynolds’ regressive self. The Void is one of Marvel’s most ruinous beings who has given the Avengers a run for their money and performed such feats as tearing a right in reality with his bare hands.

Whether Sentry and the Void will possess a similar collection of powers in Thunderbolts* remains to be seen. Nevertheless, Thunderbolts* trailers reveal the Void wreaking havoc on New York by turning its citizens into shadows by simply raising his hand. It is unclear whether this power is necessarily fatal (though it certainly appears to be the case), but the effortlessness with which the Void subjects his victims to this fate speaks to his incredible power. Sentry is additionally seen telekinetically pushing Red Guardian through a window, with the sH๏τ also revealing a flash of Sentry’s platinum blonde hair.

The Void has proven to be one of the Avengers’ most powerful adversaries, seriously putting them through their paces. This paints a bleak picture for the Thunderbolts, who, in Yelena Belova’s words, “Just punch and shoot.” Nevertheless, the Avengers have proven that it is possible to defeat the Void.

In Marvel Comics, The Heroes Defeated Sentry By Killing Him

Bob Asks To Be Killed After The Void Is Subdued

Seige #4 saw the Avengers going toe-to-toe with the Void in a tooth-and-nail brawl that took all of their strength to win. After initially failing to best the godlike enтιтy, the team was empowered by Loki using the Norn Stones, a powerful set of stones whose magical Asgardian properties are evocative of the Infinity Stones. While the Void would later seemingly kill Loki, this act empowers the team to such a degree that even the weakest members of the Avengers can hold their own against the enтιтy.

After whaling on the Void for a while, the fight is brought to an end by Iron Man, who causes one of SHIELD’s Helicarriers – and all of its firepower – to crash directly into the Void. This was not enough to kill the enтιтy outright, but it allowed a window of opportunity for Bob to regain control of his body. When in control, he begs the Avengers to kill him to prevent the Void from returning. While the Avengers are initially hesitant, the threat of the Void returning in Bob’s eyes prompts Thor to unleash a lethal bolt of lightning.

Thunderbolts* Could Adapt Sentry’s Death To Defeat Him In The MCU

The Thunderbolts* Could Kill Bob After Subduing The Void

Evidently, the Thunderbolts aren’t nearly as powerful as the Avengers. While none are capable of summoning lightning like Thor, a crucial and somewhat controversial moment in the comics was Iron Man using traditional weaponry. The Thunderbolts are in direct contact with Valentina Allegra De Fontaine and her access to such ordinance, potentially allowing them to replicate the moment from “Siege #4.”

The crucial aspect of Sentry and the Void is their constant struggle to gain control of Bob’s superpowered body. Disabling the Void for an instant could allow Bob to regain control and provide the same window of opportunity for the Thunderbolts to end his life. While it took an empowered Thor to kill Sentry, I imagine it would still be feasible for the super soldiers in the Thunderbolts to deliver the fatal blow.

I think this would be an important step for Marvel Studios to take with Sentry. Having an enтιтy as powerful as him in the MCU threatens to throw everything off balance, as his abilities would be more than sufficient to go up against the biggest threats the Avengers are due to face – especially when combined with the might of characters like Thor and Doctor Strange. I’ll admit this would be somewhat upsetting, as Sentry is a particularly compelling character. Thankfully, Marvel has already revealed that this won’t be the last we see of him.

Lewis Pullman Is Set To Return In Avengers: Doomsday, But He Could Be A Sentry Variant

The Multiverse Makes A Variant Of Sentry Possible

The surprise live stream that announced the first cast members for Avengers: Doomsday revealed that most of the stars of Thunderbolts* will be returning. While Olga Kurylenko was conspicuously absent – further fueling the rampant rumors that Taskmaster will not survive the events of Thunderbolts* – the cast list even included Lewis Pullman. This would suggest that Sentry, along with the majority of the Thunderbolts, will survive Thunderbolts* to make it to the next Avengers movie.

That said, I find it very hard to believe that Marvel Studios intentionally spoiled the fate of these characters with its cast announcement. Instead, it might be that Lewis Pullman and others will be portraying variants of themselves as Avengers: Doomsday appears poised to bring multiple characters from alternate universes together, including the X-Men and Fantastic Four. While this may help feed criticisms about the multiverse negating stakes in the MCU, I think it would nonetheless help to compound the impact of Thunderbolts* should the team and Sentry of Earth-616 die.

Alternatively, Pullman’s return might be as Bob, as a fully inaugurated member of the Thunderbolts team. We have yet to learn about Bob’s origins in the MCU, meaning he might be a skilled fighter and boon regardless of his powers. If Thunderbolts* culminates in the character suppressing the Void or Sentry, or both, this could justify his continued involvement in the MCU. Whatever the case, I think it would be prudent of the MCU to address this glaring power issue, lest the Void supersede Doctor Doom as the most threatening enтιтy in Avengers: Doomsday.

Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Thunderbolts*

  Release Date

  
  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  Release Date

  
  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Doomsday (2026)

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Spider-Man: Brand New Day

  Release Date

  
  July 31, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  May 7, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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