Thunderbolts* Writer Reveals Shocking Villain Switch: Why Sentry Replaced US Agent as Main Threat

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Eric Pearson disclosed that initially, John Walker was almost set to take over as the primary antagonist from Sentry and the Void in the upcoming MCU film, Thunderbolts. The character of Robert Reynolds, portrayed by Lewis Pullman, is not only incredibly powerful but also exceptionally unique among Marvel movie villains. In the final scenes of Thunderbolts, Bob finds solace with the Thunderbolts, and his post-credits scene reveals him earning a place among the New Avengers, hinting at future events in Avengers: Doomsday.

In an exclusive conversation with ScreenRant, screenwriter Eric Pearson disclosed that Wyatt Russell’s character, John Walker (also known as US Agent), was initially slated to be the main antagonist in the Thunderbolts movie during certain stages of development. As per Pearson, the villainous character Val would have tricked Walker into believing his Super Soldier serum was weakening. In a manner similar to how Samuel Sterns manipulated President Ross in Captain America: Brave New World, Val would have escalated Walker’s powers until he became a dangerous and unstable force, essentially a ticking time bomb. However, the creative team eventually found that the Sentry character aligned more closely with Thunderbolts’ mental health-focused themes, causing John Walker to retain his heroic status. You can read Eric Pearson’s complete remarks here: [Link to full comments]

MoviePulse: What I admire in this film is its profound exploration of mental health issues. The ending, in particular, is incredibly moving and emotionally charged. Was the script crafted explicitly to portray depression, or was it intended to depict a broader spectrum of internal battles?

Eric Pearson: “Answering that question is tough since I didn’t consciously focus on the theme during the process. Originally, John Walker was intended to be the antagonist in the final confrontation. The plan was for Val to deceive him by suggesting his serum was diminishing, and she was administering medications to sustain him. In truth, he was like a ticking time bomb, similar to the Hulk. I wanted our third act fight to end with a heartfelt embrace, a sort of “the sun is setting” moment, given that this concept has been present since the story’s inception.”

The previous version had a certain fun appeal, but it didn’t quite hit the mark in terms of tone or feel right. I’d already incorporated elements reminiscent of ‘The Breakfast Club’, so my thought was to create a character who could outmatch them physically yet emotionally resonate with the audience.

In a Marvel Writers program I attended around 2010 or 2011, I recall reading Sentry comics. In these stories, the Sentry is portrayed as a battle between an ethereal figure of Good and pure Evil. However, I pondered, “What if it’s about heroic ambition and self-worth clashing against self-hatred, despair, and solitude?” Essentially, he embodies the entire hero’s journey in one character. So, I incorporated him into my work, and he proved to be a flawless fit. The narrative then revolved around discovering and shaping the Void space and other related concepts.

The Sentry character in the comics is quite similar to Zemo, in that he possesses immense power and greatness. However, unlike his comic book counterpart, he erased his own memory from everyone’s recollection because he posed a threat. This concept is really cool but may not work well in this film adaptation. Nonetheless, it’s important to incorporate as many elements of the Sentry’s story as possible.

We aimed to incorporate his memory loss, his complex personality, and the fact that he was an imperfect experiment into the movie, while staying true to the comics and making it feel natural. I take pride in this challenge because it’s difficult to find the right balance and avoid making it seem contrived.

What The Thunderbolts* Writer’s Villain And The Void Comments Mean

Thunderbolts* Almost Looked Quite Different

In earlier drafts of the movie, the appearance of Thunderbolts could have been altered significantly. For instance, Steven Yeun was originally cast as Bob (a.k.a. Sentry), Taskmaster initially survived and formed an alliance with Ghost, Baron Zemo had a hidden role at some point, and John Walker came close to becoming the ultimate antagonist of Thunderbolts. The version of Thunderbolts directed by Jake Schreier is one of the highest-rated films in the Multiverse Saga so far, implying that each change made during production was for the best.

Our Take On The Thunderbolts* Writer’s Villain And The Void Comments

Thunderbolts*’ Final Cut Sounds Like The Best Version Of The Movie

In the intriguing world of Thunderbolts*, Sentry’s internal battles make him an ideal antagonist given the film’s heavy emphasis on mental health issues. Interestingly, John Walker served as the main villain at one point in the movie’s development, demonstrating a dedicated pursuit for the optimal storyline until the final script of Thunderbolts* was reached.

Although concepts such as Val manipulating John Walker or Baron Zemo concealing an antagonist role might have been entertaining, they ultimately didn’t align with the rest of the movie. By reinforcing Thunderbolts*’ thematic elements, the Void’s adaptation in the MCU presents a refreshing perspective on the villainous Marvel entity.

In an unexpected move, the absence of a sequel for the Thunderbolts team suggests a daring choice that could yield rich rewards in the near future. Changing the Thunderbolts’ name may seem to distance them from their comic book counterparts within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but it fits perfectly with the current storyline. Essentially, the Thunderbolts have given underestimated adversaries like John Walker and Ghost a fresh start, and it’s likely that Avengers: Doomsday will continue to explore their journey towards redemption.

(*Note: In this context, “Thunderbolts” refers to the Marvel Comics team with the same name.)

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2025-05-05 14:19