Marvel's Thunderbolts Has A Perfect Opportunity To Explain MCU Plot Holes

Marvel's Thunderbolts is one of the most important upcoming entries to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which may have the opportunity to finally explain any lingering plot holes in the franchise. The upcoming film is set for theatrical release in July 2024, acting as the final entry in Phase 5 of the MCU. Placing Thunderbolts as the finale to a full phase of films and series shows Marvel Studios' confidence in the film while also highlighting the importance of its titular team's characters within the ever-expanding franchise, one of whom may be key in resolving certain mysteries that have been left unanswered for years.

Phase 5 is building up to the Thunderbolts, who are poised to follow in the Avengers' footsteps to become the next all-star superhero team in the MCU. The lineup of heroes, antiheroes, and reformed villains making up the team include Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), and Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). However, Thunderbolts has been heavily rumored to include additional characters kept secret by Marvel Studios prior to the movie's production. One such character may have rippling effects on both the future of the MCU and also the past.

Sentry Could Have Been A Secret MCU Superhero

sentry with the thundebolts red guardian yelena belova and bucky barnes in the mcu

Sentry, a character heavily rumored for Thunderbolts, could be revealed as a secret MCU hero in the upcoming Phase 5 film. In the comics, Sentry is essentially Marvel's answer to Superman, albeit with a dark twist. Robert Reynolds becomes the Sentry after ingesting a special serum, which grants him the power of "one million exploding suns" and makes him one of the most powerful superheroes in the entire Marvel Universe. He fights alongside the Avengers and Fantastic Four for years until the darker side of his transformation becomes clear. A villainous persona known as the Void emerges in Reynolds, eventually forcing him to erase the world's memories of the Sentry.

Sentry's backstory, which closely resembles Spider-Man: No Way Home's memory-wiping spell, suggests that he may have existed in the MCU long before his potential debut in Thunderbolts. In fact, it is very possible that the Sentry has existed in secret for years, potentially even predating some of the franchise's earlier heroes like Iron Man and the Hulk. Marvel Studios would have full freedom in determining Robert Reynolds's backstory and origin for the MCU, with any of his previous actions erased entirely from humanity's memory. However, Sentry's unique origin also allows the MCU to make a few needed changes to its canon, potentially filling some gaping plot holes in the franchise.

How Sentry's Secret Past Would Affect Previous MCU Events

Sentry surrounded by lightning in the Marvel Comics

Sentry's origin offers an opportunity for Marvel to fix plot holes and unanswered questions. As intricate as the MCU's timeline is, the franchise has been pumping out new content for nearly fifteen years, making plot holes and unresolved mysteries inevitable. However, because the Sentry's superhero career has been erased from the world's memory, the MCU can use his introduction as a way to repair some of the inconsistencies in its past, waving each plot hole off as a side effect of a memory wipe spell. Furthermore, because of Sentry's great power, the possibility of his involvement in any previous MCU event is quite high, expanding the reach of his influence.

As just one example, Sentry's disappearance could explain the odd timing of Thanos's attack in Infinity War. After all, Thanos appeared to know the locations of the first five Infinity Stones for years, yet waited to begin his conquest. It may prove to be the case that the Sentry, one of the most powerful superheroes ever, had challenged Thanos's crusade for years, keeping the Mad Titan at bay. Once forced into retirement, however, Sentry would no longer be around to battle cosmic threats, leaving Thanos free to attack at his leisure. Tragically, the world would have no idea that Sentry had staved off the Mad Titan's conquest for so long.

All The Evidence That Sentry Is Coming To The MCU

Split Image of Steven Yeun in Minari; Sentry glowering as he flies through the air in Marvel Comics

Sentry has not been officially confirmed for the MCU, but it seems very likely that he will be making his live-action debut in the near future. Recent reports suggest that The Walking Dead's Steven Yeun will portray Sentry in Thunderbolts, though Marvel Studios has neglected to confirm any such rumors. Nevertheless, Sentry's involvement in Thunderbolts has been rumored for months, and Yeun's casting only adds to the argument that the cosmic superhero is coming to the MCU. More importantly, Thunderbolts would be the perfect MCU project to act as the character's first appearance, considering his well-known history with the eponymous team in the comics.

Moreover, the timing appears right for Sentry's MCU debut as the franchise continues to trend toward more cosmic storylines. While the MCU mostly focused on Earth-based heroes for the Infinity Saga, cosmic characters are poised to take center stage in the Multiverse Saga and beyond. 2023 alone is set to depict Adam Warlock joining the Guardians of the Galaxy and an entire space-based adventure in The Marvels. And, as bigger threats like the Council of Kangs face the MCU, it seems increasingly likely that the franchise will require cosmic heroes like the Sentry to combat these powerful villains. Indeed, Sentry's debut in Thunderbolts seems more likely by the day.

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