It appears that Steven Yeun, known for his roles in The Walking Dead, Minari, Invincible, and Beef, has been confirmed to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in the upcoming Thunderbolts project. The announcement came in February 2023, but his specific role was kept under wraps initially. Recent developments suggest that he might be taking on the character of the Sentry, marking the superhero’s live-action debut in the MCU. Before this revelation, fans had speculated on various possibilities, such as Amadeus Cho (Brawn) or even Doctor Doom from the Fantastic Four. The accidental confirmation of the Sentry role has added a new layer of excitement to Steven Yeun’s involvement in the Marvel universe.
The news of Steven Yeun joining the cast of Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts generated a lot of excitement, especially given Yeun’s rising career in recent years. After a noteworthy six-year stint on The Walking Dead, where he played the character Glenn Rhee, Yeun began to experience heightened success in prominent films such as Okja, Sorry to Bother You, Nope, and Minari. His role in Minari even earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, making him the first Asian American actor to achieve this recognition. More recently, Yeun took on the role of Danny in the Netflix series Beef and lent his voice to the lead character, Mark Grayson, in the animated series Invincible. Now, it appears he’s set to step into the world of live-action superheroes with Thunderbolts.
Steven Yeun Is Playing Sentry In Thunderbolts
Since the announcement of Steven Yeun’s casting, the most popular casting theory hinted at him portraying the MCU’s version of Marvel Comics’ Robert Reynolds, a.k.a. the Sentry. While there has been no official confirmation from Marvel Studios, The Walking Dead and Invincible creator Robert Kirkman may have inadvertently substantiated the rumor. Speaking to David Finch (via YouTube), Kirkman revealed that Yeun had called him following a costume fitting for the Sentry, with the pair joking that Yeun has a habit of portraying yellow-and-blue-suited superheroes. This all but confirms that Steven Yeun will in fact be portraying the MCU’s Sentry, raising excitement for his role in Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts.
The role of the Sentry in the upcoming Thunderbolts movie remains uncertain, with speculation hinting that he might initially be portrayed as an adversary to the Thunderbolts team. In Marvel Comics, Sentry is a dedicated superhero with a hidden dark side, and there’s a chance that this darker aspect could be emphasized in his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This could set the stage for a confrontation with the team, consisting of characters like Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, Taskmaster, US Agent, Ghost, and Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Despite starting off as a potential villain, there’s optimism that Steven Yeun, who portrays Sentry, could have a promising future in the MCU, given Sentry’s status as one of Marvel Comics’ most formidable characters.
Sentry’s Marvel Comics Origin
In the vibrant world of Marvel Comics, Robert Reynolds made his memorable entrance in the pages of Sentry #1 in the year 2000. Portrayed initially as an ordinary middle-aged individual carrying some extra weight, Reynolds experiences a sudden recollection of his past as the Sentry, a superhero endowed with the incredible “power of one million exploding suns.” The narrative unfolds as he reaches out to prominent heroes in the Marvel Universe, such as Mister Fantastic, the Hulk, Spider-Man, and Doctor Strange, in an earnest attempt to rekindle their memories of him.
As the story progresses, a darker aspect of Reynolds’ journey comes to light. It is revealed that his transformation into the Sentry occurred during a period of meth addiction. Unintentionally, he consumed an experimental super-soldier serum in a misguided effort to fuel his addiction. This dark undercurrent continued to influence his tenure as a superhero, adding complexity and depth to his character.
In grappling with his identity as the Sentry, Robert Reynolds confronts the haunting presence of his nemesis, the Void. A revelation unfolds as Reynolds and Reed Richards come to understand that the Sentry and the Void are integral parts of the same individual. In a selfless act, the Sentry and Earth’s heroes opt to erase all memory of the Sentry from the world, shielding them from the malevolent Void. Despite joining the Avengers, Reynolds finds himself ensnared in a mental struggle, unable to harmonize his various personas. This internal conflict gives rise to poignant and intense narratives for the Sentry, offering a rich tapestry that holds potential for compelling adaptation in the live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe.
