Thunderbolts Ending Hints Void Will Return as Sentry in the MCU

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One open question from the “Thunderbolts” storyline could pave the way for Robert Reynolds’ reemergence as Sentry and the Void’s retaliation against the New Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In their final confrontation with the Void, the Thunderbots (also known as the New Avengers) helped Bob Reynolds conquer his darker side by offering him emotional support. Despite Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s attempts, Bob eventually relinquished his Sentry identity and formed a new bond with his teammates.

Bob’s tranquility arises due to him relinquishing his recently uncovered abilities. He appears unfazed by this, choosing instead to cast off his troubling emotions and memories rather than maintaining a power he never sought out or desired. However, even though the Void seems to have been vanquished, the potential danger Bob unwittingly poses to the world might not be resolved yet.

Bob Reynolds Inexplicably Loses His Sentry Costume After The Void Is Defeated

Bob’s Sentry Power And Hairstyle Disappear Out Of A Sudden

After Bob stops fighting the Void and expresses his deep emotions, he and the New Avengers re-enter reality on a street in front of Val’s Watchtower, with everyone who was absorbed by the Void being restored. The New Avengers remember their experiences and appear unharmed. However, upon their return, Bob appears with his natural hair color and without his Sentry suit. He seems puzzled and asks his teammates to explain what transpired since he underwent the Sentry transformation.

It makes sense that Bob might forget his past due to the unusual events surrounding his change into Sentry and the Void’s control. The Void may have the power to restore Bob’s original hair color as a symbol of him breaking free from the entity he created and the cold personality Val gave him. Strangely, the disappearance of the Sentry suit is puzzling since the Void seemed to be confined within its own dimension. However, neither the final scene nor the post-credits of Thunderbolts address this peculiarity in any way.

The Void May Have Saved Bob’s Sentry Costume For An Eventual Return

The Void May Be Planning To Weaponize Bob’s Sentry Persona

Instead of viewing Bob Reynolds’ missing Sentry costume as an error, perhaps it serves as a subtle foreshadowing of the eventual reappearance of Sentry and The Void following the post-credits scene of Thunderbolts. The Void could have seized Bob’s costume and hidden it away within his subconscious mind. Concurrently, it’s possible that The Void continues to lie dormant inside Bob’s consciousness, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. In such a scenario, if The Void manages to catch Bob off guard, it could reawaken and use Bob’s Sentry powers for malicious purposes. Should The Void combine its power with that of a fully-empowered Sentry, there might be no character in the MCU capable of stopping it.

In the comics, The Void is a mystical force that can bring about chaos like any other mythical creature or monster. However, in the *Thunderbolts*, The Void is depicted as an embodiment of Bob’s mental health issues. It has the power to transport its victims into its realm where they are forced to re-live their deepest traumas repeatedly. The location of The Void is unclear, but it might reside within Bob’s mind. Unlike Sentry, The Void doesn’t typically use his physical abilities, but that could change if The Void gains control over Sentry’s immense power and uses it against Bob and his allies.

Thunderbolts*’ Post-Credits Scene Supports The Theory That The Void Is Saving Bob’s Sentry Persona For Later

Thunderbolts*’ Post-Credits Scene Confirms Bob Can’t Use His Sentry Powers

Fourteen months following the occurrences depicted in “Thunderbolts,” the New Avengers gather at their Watchtower to address a cosmic predicament that unexpectedly draws the Fantastic Four’s vessel into the MCU’s primary timeline. In the aftermath of “Thunderbolts,” the post-credits scene hints that Bob remains with the New Avengers, despite his inability to engage in combat due to the danger of resurrecting the Void when using his Sentry powers. Instead, he spends his time at the Watchtower, reading and handling daily chores, while the team carries out their New Avenger tasks and navigates Captain America’s copyright lawsuit.

In Thunderbolts, it isn’t explained how Bob deduced that his Sentry powers are linked to the Void. It could be that he’s being careful not to trigger another incident, but it’s also plausible that he experimented with his abilities and sensed the Void regaining control once more. Bob might be unaware of the odds of the Void resurfacing or what specific triggers may bring it back. On the other hand, the Void could be lying dormant unwillingly, or it could be lurking in Bob’s subconscious, devising a strategy to manifest as a Dark Sentry persona to punish him and the New Avengers.

In the comics, the Void is depicted as a gigantic, dark creature that sometimes takes on an arachnid demon-like form. Yet, it can also take control of Sentry’s body, transforming him into a malevolent version known as “Dark Sentry.” The MCU’s portrayal of the Void seems to be influenced by this latter concept, as the possessed Sentry appears as a living shadow molded in the likeness of himself. In an upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film, it is possible that the Void may resurrect Bob’s Sentry abilities and costume, leading to a more traditional Dark Sentry – he would still wear his classic superhero attire but with glowing red eyes and an ominous dark aura around him.

When The Void Could Turn Bob Into Sentry Again

Bob May Only Transform Back Into Sentry After Avengers: Doomsday

It might be strategically wise for The Void to resurface during either “Avengers: Doomsday” or “Avengers: Secret Wars,” as these scenarios present the least opportune time for Bob to lose control over his Sentry persona. Given that Bob’s struggle aligns with The Void’s interests, it is likely to flourish in Bob’s distress. However, both “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars” are already packed with events, making a recurrence of such an incident unlikely, especially so close to the events of “Thunderbolts.” Therefore, The Void could let Bob temporarily wield his Sentry powers in Avengers: Secret Wars, deferring any repercussions for a later time.

Instead, Bob might choose to skip both “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars,” allowing the Void to resurrect his Sentry persona when the New Avengers deem all significant threats to be vanquished. In Phase 7, I, as the Dark Sentry, would likely encounter enemies more formidable than those encountered in “Thunderbolts.” By then, the New Avengers may have united with Captain America’s Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men, making such a confrontation worthy of a standalone film. “Avengers 7” or a spiritual successor to “Thunderbolts” could center entirely around Dark Sentry as a crossover adversary.

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2025-06-07 14:59