Lewis Pullman’s Thunderbolts Journey: Crafting Bob/Sentry with Depth and Heart

In Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts, Lewis Pullman delivers a captivating performance as Bob Reynolds, aka Sentry, bringing a layered superhero to life. During a recent conversation with Kristian Harloff, Pullman shared his thoughtful approach to portraying this complex character, blending vulnerability, power, and inner conflict. This article explores every detail he revealed about his process, offering fans a closer look at his work in Thunderbolts.

Warning: Spoilers for Thunderbolts ahead.

What Attracted Lewis Pullman to Bob/Sentry’s Role?

Pullman’s path to Thunderbolts started with a compelling pitch from director Jake Schreier, who described the story as a “campfire tale” rich with emotional weight. The role of Bob, a man wrestling with mental health challenges and dual identities as Sentry and the Void, instantly intrigued Pullman. He told Harloff, “It felt like a chance to explore something raw, to dive into hubris and despair in a human way.” This complexity made Thunderbolts Lewis Pullman’s most ambitious project yet.

His past roles, like the conflicted Miles Miller in Bad Times at the El Royale, equipped him to tackle Bob’s moral and emotional depth. Pullman connected with Bob’s “impostor syndrome,” seeing him as a relatable figure despite his godlike powers, which set the tone for his grounded performance.

How Did He Balance Bob’s Three Personas?

Spoiler Warning: This section reveals plot details about Bob’s character. 

In Thunderbolts, Bob embodies three personas: the timid Bob Reynolds, the heroic Sentry, and the destructive Void. Pullman described this to Harloff as “three people fighting underwater, with different heads surfacing.” His challenge was unifying them into one cohesive character. Collaborating with Schreier, he spent weekends breaking down the script to track each persona’s emotional and physical traits.

To distinguish them, Pullman used subtle physical cues—Bob’s nervous fidgeting, Sentry’s commanding posture, and Void’s menacing intensity. “It was exhausting but rewarding,” he said, noting how these shifts helped him navigate Bob’s fractured psyche while keeping the performance authentic.

What Challenges Came with Bob’s Mental Health Narrative?

Bob’s arc in Thunderbolts is rooted in trauma, from an abusive childhood to meth addiction, which leads to his super-soldier experiment.

Spoiler Warning: Details of Bob’s backstory follow.

Pullman approached these themes with sensitivity, aiming to honor mental health discussions. He told Harloff, “You want to get it right without overthinking it, so I did my homework on the terminology and experiences.”

Portraying Bob’s vulnerability was the toughest part, requiring Pullman to tap into the character’s guilt and self-doubt. Drawing from the comics’ depiction of Bob’s schizophrenia and anxiety, he worked with Schreier to adapt these struggles for the MCU, ensuring Bob felt relatable as a hero who doubts his own strength.

How Did Pullman Physically Transform for Sentry?

The physical demands of Thunderbolts pushed Lewis Pullman to new limits. Co-star Florence Pugh praised his dedication, joking about his relief at eating a burger post-training. Pullman told Harloff he focused on building “superhero bulk” to embody Sentry’s power while preserving Bob’s fragile demeanor. This balance was key to showing the contrast between the personas.

The Sentry suit, with its iconic gold and blue design, also shaped his performance. Initially “weird” to wear, it became a tool to channel Sentry’s confidence. “Slipping into that suit felt like Bob claiming his power, even if he wasn’t ready,” Pullman shared, highlighting how costume and physicality merged to bring the character to life.

What Hints Did Pullman Drop About Sentry’s MCU Future?

Spoiler Warning: This discusses Thunderbolts’ ending and post-credits scene. 

Set to reprise Sentry in Avengers: Doomsday (2026), Pullman teased his excitement to Harloff, saying, “It’s like discovering a new wing in a familiar house.” While guarded about specifics, he hinted at Sentry’s evolving role in the MCU, potentially reshaping its power dynamics. In Thunderbolts, Bob joins the New Avengers, setting up his place in future battles, possibly against Doctor Doom.

His playful dodging of spoilers—joking about feeling like a “kid in the principal’s office”—showcased his charm, which fans on X adore. Posts like @GeeklyGoods’ praise for his “powerhouse” performance reflect the buzz around Thunderbolts Lewis Pullman’s casting.

Why Did Pullman Hesitate Over Bob’s Name?

In a funny aside, Pullman admitted to Harloff he initially balked at playing another Bob after Top Gun: Maverick’s Lt. Robert “Bob” Floyd. “I was like, ‘Can we change it?’” he laughed, but Schreier held firm, citing the comics. Embracing the name, Pullman jokingly proposed a “Bob the Builder live-action campaign,” endearing him further to fans with his self-deprecating humor.

How Did the Thunderbolts Cast and Crew Shape His Performance?

Pullman raved about the Thunderbolts ensemble, especially his scenes with Pugh’s Yelena Belova, which grounded Bob’s arc through natural chemistry. He credited Schreier’s open directing style for allowing him to experiment with Bob’s nuances. The cast’s “misfit” dynamic mirrored the team’s story, helping Thunderbolts Lewis Pullman navigate Bob’s integration into the group as they confront his volatile powers.

Fans on X, like @MarvelFanatic, call his performance a “game-changer,” with the film’s 88% critics’ score underscoring its impact. Pullman’s work has elevated Thunderbolts’ themes of redemption and mental health.

Some Closing Thoughts:

Lewis Pullman’s Thunderbolts performance as Bob/Sentry marks a defining moment in his career and the MCU. His nuanced approach—merging physicality, emotional depth, and respect for Bob’s struggles—has resonated with audiences and critics.

As he gears up for Avengers: Doomsday, Thunderbolts Lewis Pullman proves he’s a rising star to watch.

See his stellar work in Thunderbolts, out now, and stay tuned for more.