Why The MCU’s Sentry Costume Feels Uncanny and Terrifying

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Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Thunderbolts*

The comments from Lewis Pullman, who played Thunderbolts character, reinforce my belief that the Sentry costume in the movie felt peculiar to me. In the second act of Thunderbolts, Bob Reynolds first appeared as Sentry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe due to the machinations of Val and OXE Group. This included the gold/blue suit that the character wore in the comics. Yet, I had a sense that something wasn’t quite fitting about the comic-accurate costume, and it appears this was intentional.

In the comic series titled “Thunderbolts,” character Bob Reynolds makes his Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) entrance as a test subject of the OXE Group, undergoing experimental procedures to create a superhuman controllable by Val. Upon realizing Bob’s potential and the success of the treatment, Val and OXE start shaping him into Earth’s Mightiest Hero. However, Bob’s initial appearance as The Sentry in this movie is quite disconcerting. Here’s what actor Lewis Pullman shares about his debut costume in Thunderbolts*, explaining why it fits perfectly for the new MCU film.

Sentry’s Suit Is Introduced In An Oddly Unsettling Way, Despite Being Comic-Accurate

His Debut Is Certainly Off-Putting

After being persuaded by Val with the promise of becoming a true hero, Bob decides to take on the role of The Sentry for Val. This position comes with his iconic gold super-suit and blue cape, reminiscent of the original Marvel Comics character. Additionally, Bob’s hair is dyed blonde and styled sleekly, mimicking the appearance of the character in the comics.

Despite my reservations, the whole scene seemed overly contrived and peculiar to me. Bob appeared distinctly uneasy in his new attire, and the entire presentation had an eerie veneer to it. It was hard not to suspect that Val and OXE were aiming for a highly marketable, mass-produced superhero costume based on feedback from various focus groups. And as it turned out, even Bob himself started questioning the suit after his initial confrontation with the Thunderbolts.

Lewis Pullman’s Comments About The Sentry Suit Show Just How Intentional This Was

Even The Actor Felt Uncomfortable About The Suit (Not Just Bob)

During his interview with The Walt Disney Company, Lewis Pullman revealed that the initial appearance of the Sentry costume in “Thunderbolts” was intentionally designed to be unappealing and awkward.

The experience was peculiar. Riding as Sentry, the character felt odd because he was supposed to embody a superhero, but there was an inconsistency. Some aspect of him didn’t feel genuine, perhaps due to Valentina exerting her influence over him. When I finally saw myself in full Sentry form, I thought, ‘It’s good that I don’t feel at ease in this role.’ This suggests we nailed the unsettling and slightly disconcerting vibe that was intended for the character. It’s like watching someone wearing another person’s clothes and trying to imitate them. This always appears a bit out of place, making it enjoyable to explore this aspect of the character.

It’s entirely logical that Sentry’s debut costume was intentionally unappealing, given how it mirrored my own feelings towards the suit. To me, it seemed more like an exaggerated imitation of the usual heroes we’re accustomed to seeing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, rather than a genuine or authentic design.

I’m Impressed Thunderbolts* Manages To Make The MCU’s Sentry Suit Feel So Jarring Without Really Changing It

The Execution Made It Perfect

It’s evident that the overall feeling of awkwardness and disquiet stemmed from the execution and Lewis Pullman’s acting. The reason it works so effectively is because it seems slightly off-kilter, which is exactly how Pullman himself felt just as much as his character. Despite the costume being incredibly faithful to the comics, I was quite taken aback by how striking the suit appears, particularly in contrast to the type of person Bob is within the MCU.

In a striking contrast, the Sentry’s costume is vividly colorful and designed to draw attention, setting it apart from the film’s predominantly muted and subdued tones. This contrast becomes even more noticeable when considering the character Bob, who is far from bold. As a result, Sentry’s debut in Thunderbolts is maximized to its full potential within the MCU, given that the man inside the suit wasn’t quite the hero the creators had envisioned, and considering his dark side as The Void.

Thunderbolts* is now playing in theaters from Marvel Studios.

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2025-06-04 03:07