Director Jake Schreier explains what makes Sentry and the Void unique Sentry is also the host of a dark entity called "the Void", which could be described as pure darkness.
In an exclusive interview with ScreenRant, Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier discusses the unique qualities of Lewis Pullman's Sentry and his Void alter ego, who pose a more cerebral threat to the titular heroes than most other Marvel antagonists. Schreier explains that Sentry is too powerful to be punched into submission, but also that Thunderbolts* needs a better climax than the heroes giving the antagonist "a talking-down". The director highlights the common "trauma" between the Thunderbolts and their connection to Sentry through it, and reveals that he talked with Sentry creator Paul Jenkins about the character's resonating mental health theme. Read Jake Schreier's full comments below:
ScreenRant: Thunderbolts* marks the second movie in a row from Marvel, after Brave New World, where the emotional climax feels like it's bigger than the physical one. Was that a conscious shift towards more nuanced, character-driven storytelling at Marvel?
Jake Schreier: "I think it more just came from the endemic story that we had to tell. When you have Sentry and the Void - and people have said it online, "How are they supposed to beat that guy?" - we know it's always going to have to be a more internal version. I think what we tried to do is have that be more than a talking-down, and really find a visual action narrative way to dramatize what that internality looks like. And I hope it resonates.
The good thing is, in this world, there's a lot of trauma to be mined. They've gone through a lot. When you have a character like Bob, The Sentry and The Void, you know that's part of the story, and that's such a rich character. We talked to Paul Jenkins, who created it, and it always was meant to be a parable for mental health.
So, we have to do something that plays in that world if we're going to be honest about who that character is. And then it becomes about, "How do we tie the arcs of the other characters to be such that they fit with that antagonist?"
What Jake Schreier's Sentry Comments Mean For Thunderbolts*
Thunderbolts*' Climax Might Be A Break From Traditional Superhero Endings
Jake Schreier's description of Sentry and the Void makes it clear that the Thunderbolts have very little chance of beating up the villains. The Thunderbolts* trailers also suggest the titular anti-heroes eventually realize that they have no way of stopping Sentry and the Void through conventional means. But given that Sentry's connection to the Void seems to be based on his personal trauma, the Thunderbolts might be able to disarm the Void by coming to with their own past. By overcoming their most painful memories, the Thunderbolts could bring Bob back to normal and control his Sentry powers.
I'm Convinced Marvel Is Back On Track After The Thunderbolts* Reactions Praised The Post-Credits Scenes
Positive reactions to Thunderbolts*' post-credits scenes suggest the MCU is back on track with its teases of future projects like Avengers: Doomsday.
Each of the Thunderbolts has a lot to look back on. Yelena Belova still hasn't come to with Natasha Romanoff's death, Bucky Barnes is still trying to build a new life after leaving his Winter Soldier past behind, Alexei Shostakov and John Walker are trying to find their own identities after failing to live up to Steve Rogers' legacy, Ava Starr may be struggling to find a purpose after gaining control of her powers, and Taskmaster has probably been building an identity of her own after being freed from General Dreykov. Bob's backstory isn't shown in Thunderbolts*' trailers, but it may be similar to the source material, where he struggles with substance dependence.
Our Take On Jake Schreier's Sentry Comments
Sentry And The Void Will Marvel's Growing List Of Amazing Antagonists
Marvel movies and shows have presented many incredible antagonists throughout the years. From Magneto's pro-mutant fight in Fox's X-Men movies to Green Goblin's irredeemably evil impulses to Loki's sense of inadequacy and Thanos' misguided search for equlibrium, every beloved Marvel villain has had their own solid motivations behind their antagonistic nature. Thunderbolts*' mental health themes and Sentry's unparallled power will likely place Lewis Pullman's Sentry among the most unique Marvel villains, if not among the best.
Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
- May 2, 2025
- Runtime
- 127 minutes
- Director
- Jake Schreier
- Writers
- Eric Pearson, Joanna Calo
- Producers
- Kevin Feige
Cast
Yelena Belova
Bucky Barnes
- Franchise(s)
- Marvel Cinematic Universe
- Budget
- $180 million
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