"It Was The Most Extreme Transformation I’ve Ever Done:" Thunderbolts* Star Lewis Pullman Addresses Getting Into Superhero Shape To Become The MCU's Sentry

One of the breakout stars of Thunderbolts*, Lewis Pullman, recently addressed how it felt to transform physically to play Bob Reynolds/Sentry/the Void. Along with Pullman, the film stars Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen, Olga Kurylenko, and Sebastian Stan. This ragtag team is made up of previous villains and anti-heroes from various Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. Bob fills a unique role because he doesn’t fit this mold; rather, he is initially a mysterious-yet-friendly presence before his mental instability takes over and turns him into the malevolent enтιтy, the Void.

Early in the film, Pullman’s character attempts to sacrifice himself to save others, discovering latent superpowers in the process. During this scuffle, his shirt is riddled with bullet holes, and its lower half is ripped off entirely. According to Pullman, this was a source of irony for him because of the intense diet and workout regimen he was on. The actor explained: “It was the most extreme transformation I’ve ever done, and you don’t even see that much of it on camera.”

Previously, Pullman starred in Top Gun Maverick, which featured much of the cast shirtless—but not him. The actor compared his experiences:

I was just sitting on the sidelines for that one, but now I got a taste of it—and a heavy dose. You look shredded, but you feel like sнιт.

However, Pullman highlighted one major silver lining to the process: finally getting to eat whatever he wanted. Calling it a “serious last supper moment,” the actor explained how he went all in: “After that scene was done, I had one of those ice cream Snickers. Maybe three of them. And then I had a milkshake. And a burger, and ice cream, and French fries.“

What Lewis Pullman’s Comments About Getting In Shape For Thunderbolts* Mean

Superhero Workout Routines Are Often Intense

It’s not uncommon for actors to speak out regarding the physical toll of having a “movie-ready” appearance. Fellow Marvel alum Hugh Jackman has often discussed how intense his Wolverine diet and exercise routine has been. Additionally, Stan, another Thunderbolts* star, spoke bluntly about his struggles to maintain his Winter Soldier look, explaining: “Still trying to get back to that shape, I don’t know if it’s gonna work out at 42 years old.“

Worth noting, being an actor also means that these individuals have to gain weight, lose it, and bulk up, often in rapid succession. The standards to which actors and actresses are held can be difficult to attain. Pullman’s comments point out the unfortunate side of how these movies get made, with the actor even explaining that purposefully dehydrating oneself is a common method to look more “shredded.”

Our Take On Lewis Pullman’s Comments About Getting In Shape For Thunderbolts*

The Quality Of A Superhero Performance Doesn’t Boil Down To Appearance

The Thunderbolts looking into the camera in a promotional image for Thunderbolts

While Pullman’s dedication to the role is evident in how he physically transformed, the truly impressive feat here is his performance. The actor pulled triple-duty, and he played Bob, Sentry, and the Void well. Bob, in particular, was a sympathetic character who tugged on the audience’s heartstrings. Pullman’s portrayal in Thunderbolts* was solid; it truly doesn’t matter what he looks like without a shirt. Unless an actor wants to be shirtless in a scene, there is no real need for them to be, and their health should always come first. That being said, Pullman certainly earned his cheat day.