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With the Marvel Cinematic Universe hurtling toward its next major phase, Thunderbolts* doesn’t just fill the void left by the Avengers—it fills it with grime, heart, and explosive character work. The ensemble cast, featuring Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, and Lewis Pullman, brings a combustible mix of emotional weight and swagger to Marvel Studios’ latest genre-bending team-up. And thanks to a cleverly staged toy unboxing by EW, fans now have their first full look at Pullman’s Sentry costume—an MCU reveal as subtle as it is seismic.

Unboxing the Sentry Suit: A Marvel-Licensed Tease That Breaks the Silence

In a moment that doubled as both promotion and playful reveal, the Thunderbolts* cast unboxed Marvel Legends figurines of their characters from branded cereal boxes. What began as a lighthearted bit of merch marketing quickly morphed into an unofficial character confirmation. When Lewis Pullman’s “Bob” figurine was unveiled in full comic-accurate glory—gold and blue suit, flowing cape, iconic “S” belt—there was no mistaking it: the MCU is finally embracing Sentry.

Though Marvel has yet to officially label Pullman’s character as Robert Reynolds, the dual identity of Sentry and Void is practically confirmed by the film’s trailers. A key line from Bob himself—“I am the Void”—combined with Mel’s (Geraldine Viswanathan) chilling admission that “Sentry’s gone off the rails,” cements what fans long theorized. This isn’t just a new hero (or villain) for the MCU. This is a god-class power with a psychological edge, and Marvel is playing it smart by letting the toys do the talking.

Director Jake Schreier’s Vision Brings Practical Punches and Psychological Depth

Behind the lens, director Jake Schreier—known for his emotionally resonant work on Beef and Paper Towns—is steering Thunderbolts* into uncharted MCU territory. Schreier’s commitment to in-camera effects and grounded action gives even the most surreal moments a tactile edge. His collaboration with visual effects teams on the Void’s design—a shadowy, Hiroshima-inspired disintegration effect—strikes a perfect balance between simplicity and impact. It's the kind of creative choice that elevates a blockbuster into something more memorable.

Schreier’s approach to character storytelling is just as meticulous. In conversations with Collider, he revealed how he and Pullman dissected every line to map the emotional contours of Bob’s fractured psyche. “We’d go through line by line... to carve out, even if it’s subtle, which aspects of the character those lines are connecting to,” Schreier said. This level of nuance promises that Sentry won’t just be powerful—he’ll be layered, vulnerable, and unpredictable.

The Ensemble Cast Transforms Familiar Faces Into a Dysfunctional Family of Antiheroes

Thunderbolts* isn’t just about new characters like Sentry—it’s about giving worn heroes new scars to wear. Florence Pugh returns as Yelena Belova with sharp wit and deeper emotional stakes. Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes embarks on a surprising journey from soldier to politician to... something else entirely. David Harbour’s Red Guardian, never missing a chance to flex both muscle and sarcasm, even pushed for Marvel to bring back Rachel Weisz’s Melina Vostokoff—a hope that may keep fans dreaming beyond this film.

Wyatt Russell’s U.S. Agent, Hannah John-Kamen’s Ghost, and Olga Kurylenko’s Taskmaster round out the team, each character grappling with past betrayals and shaky loyalties. The chemistry—or intentional friction—among this group is what makes Thunderbolts* sing. It’s a Marvel ensemble that feels more like a gritty TV drama crossed with a high-stakes heist movie than your typical superhero ensemble.

Behind the Casting Shifts: How Pullman Made Sentry His Own

Originally, Steven Yeun was cast as Sentry, but scheduling conflicts led to Pullman stepping in—a change that Marvel Studios seems to have embraced wholeheartedly. Schreier described his collaboration with Pullman as a “new process” of exploring the character’s multiple layers. And based on the footage and fan reactions, this casting pivot may have actually strengthened the film’s core.

Pullman’s performance is poised to be the breakout of Thunderbolts*. His ability to convey threat, hope, and internal chaos—all within the same scene—mirrors the complex nature of Sentry himself. Whether audiences are watching for the first time or piecing together MCU lore, Pullman gives them something to latch onto: a character who is powerful enough to save the world, but unstable enough to destroy it.

Thunderbolts* Isn’t Just a Team-Up—It’s the MCU’s Most Emotional-Logical Collision Yet

Marvel Studios has a knack for mixing spectacle with story, but Thunderbolts* may be the first time that mix centers on moral ambiguity and mental health as boldly as it does on explosions and punchlines. The film doesn’t just ask what happens when villains try to be heroes—it asks what happens when heroes are broken, tired, and left behind by a world that once worshiped them.

With its smart casting, daring visual choices, and a script that lets its characters bleed (emotionally and metaphorically), Thunderbolts* is shaping up to be a game-changer. It’s not about saving the day. It’s about what you do when no one’s watching—and you’re not sure you want to be saved anyway.

Marvel’s Thunderbolts* strikes theaters May 2, 2025.