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Marvel's Thunderbolts* marks the second time Lewis Pullman plays a comedic relief character named Bob

From Top Gun: Maverick to Thunderbolts*, Lewis Pullman keeps introducing himself as "Bob"

A still of Lewis Pullman as The Sentry in the Thunderbolts trailer
Image credit: Marvel Studios

The first teaser trailer for Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts* film arrived this week, and somehow, Lewis Pullman is once again introducing himself as "Bob." Pullman joins the MCU's latest dysfunctional, ragtag team as the Sentry, one of the most powerful characters in the world of Marvel Comics. Of course, the trailer doesn't show much of the Sentry's powers, making Pullman's unassuming demeanor as "Bob" all the more charming. 

If you're like me, and have the entirety of Top Gun: Maverick living rent-free in your head, you'd remember that Lewis Pullman played the bespectacled Lt. Robert "Bob" Floyd in the 2022 film. Unlike his other Top Gun comrades like Hangman, Rooster, Payback, Fanboy, and Phoenix, Pullman's character didn't have a particularly fearsome call sign. He's just Bob. His introduction to his other pilots was a comedic moment early on in the film. 

And now, Thunderbolts* deploys a similar gag. As Ghost, White Widow, USAgent, and Taskmaster all duke it out in what appears to be a warehouse, Pullman's shoeless Sentry pops out of a crate and throws up his hands in surrender. Hannah John-Kamen's Ghost asks him who he is, to which he stammers, "I'm, I'm, I'm Bob." USAgent doesn't look particularly impressed. 

Of course, The Sentry's name in Marvel Comics is Bob Reynolds (short for "Robert," naturally), so it makes sense that Pullman would use the same name for the MCU's version of the character. But the combination of the character's pedestrian name and Pullman's talent for playing everyman characters is a solid comedic beat. Between Bob and Bucky on the Thunderbolts* team, color us intrigued for the MCU's upcoming tentpole film. 


Consider this a meta post-credits scene for Marvel fans - the four key articles you need to read next to continue the thrills:

Jules Chin Greene

Jules Chin Greene: Jules Chin Greene is a journalist and Jack Kirby enthusiast. He has written about comics, video games, movies, and television for sites such as Nerdist, AIPT, Multiverse of Color, and Screen Rant.

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