The Sentry first appeared in the year 2000. Marvel hyped the character by saying he was an original Stan Lee creation that everyone forgot about, which wasn't actually true but played into the story that the character's book told. Robert Reynolds was the most powerful hero of the Silver Age but was forced to abandon his superheroic identity because of the truth behind himself- not only was he the Sentry but also his own worst enemy, the Void.
After his initial series, the character would return to the Marvel Universe, where he would join the Avengers and go through all kinds of ups and downs. As great a character as the Sentry is, would he be a good fit for the MCU? Let's take a look.
10 Should Be In The MCU: That Much Closer To The Dark Avengers
The Dark Avengers were a part of the Dark Reign storyline that had Norman Osborn basically running the Marvel Universe. They were his team of Avengers, most of whom were villains dressed as heroes. The Sentry was his muscle, a creepy presence on the team that kept the others in line and dealt with the most powerful threats.
Putting Sentry in the MCU means there's a good chance fans would get to see some the Dark Avengers in the movies and that would be very awesome.
9 Shouldn't Be In The MCU: Wouldn't Be Able To Use His Actual Origin
The Sentry, although appearing in modern times, was retconned into Silver Age Marvel. He rubbed shoulders with the Fantastic Four and the Avengers, teamed up with the original X-Men, and had a calming effect on the bestial Hulk.
The problem with adapting him is there was no Silver Age in the MCU. They could say he was around during Pym's time but his origin loses its impact because no one important forgot him, just a bit character from a second rate MCU film. Taking away that part of his origin takes away a big part of the character,
8 Should Be In The MCU: Everything He Overcame
The Sentry can be used as a role model for people with mental and substance abuse issues, as he was able to overcome these and still be a superhero.
7 Shouldn't Be In The MCU: The Downside To His Perseverance
While the Sentry could initially be played as a positive role model for those with mental and substance abuse issues, the problem comes when it's revealed that his multiple personality disorder manifests itself as a hyper destructive monster and that all of his overcoming his issues lead to him becoming a pawn of a villain and trying to commit genocide.
The positive portrayal quickly becomes a very bad look, one that could hurt fans who empathized with the character when he was a hero. It also would add a stigma to those going through those issues, making them feel like they couldn't get better because their hero couldn't.
6 Should Be In The MCU: The Avengers Could Use Some New Blood
After Avengers: Endgame, the Avengers' future is uncertain. Most of the founders are off the table and no one really knows what's going to happen with the team. Now is a perfect time to introduce new characters to the team and the Sentry would be a great one to put on the team.
His power level would make up for the absence of a powerhouse like Thor and there's a lot to explore with the character. With the founders gone, that frees up screen time which could be used to give fans more time with him before giving him his own movie.
5 Shouldn't Be In The MCU: The Sentry/Void Dynamic Will Be Difficult For Younger Audiences
A good percentage of the MCU's audience is children. It's easily the most popular cinematic universe going, even outdoing its Disney stablemate Star Wars among kids. The dynamic between the Sentry and the Void was complicated enough to begin with and that's for an older audience.
If they were to leave the Void out of the character, it would rob the Sentry of a lot of the drama that makes the character so interesting, but it's a hard sell for younger audiences.
4 Should Be In The MCU: That Built In Drama
His built-in drama is what makes the Sentry so interesting. Not just that he falls from grace but that there's a part of him that has been actively trying to destroy the world for the entirety of his existence while also trying to save it is fertile grounds for drama.
This conflict would make for a great story and leave fans guessing about the who, how, and why of the Sentry and the Void's relationship until the very end.
3 Shouldn't Be In The MCU: The Superman Comparison
The whole point of the Sentry was that he was a Marvel version of Superman. The personality foibles he was given was the Marvel way of distinguishing him from DC's top guy, as Silver Age Marvel characters were a bit more complicated than their counterparts.
However, when audiences first see him, they're could get the Superman vibe a little too much and that might turn them off to the character as they might think he's a rip-off and not want to give him a chance, especially if they intro him in his own movie.
2 Should Be In The MCU: A Different Kind Of Marvel Movie
The Sentry's tale is unique even in comics, so a movie starring him would be like nothing MCU fans had ever seen. There's a lot of complicated, mature themes in his story that would make great fodder for a movie.
The MCU needs some new blood and new storytelling concepts and the Sentry would go a long way towards giving it that. The story has it all- drama, a built-in villain, and an interesting hero the likes of which MCU fans have never seen before.
1 Shouldn't Be In The MCU: Out Of The MCU Wheelhouse
The MCU has a very certain wheelhouse and that's exciting superheroes movies with a good smattering of humor thrown in. Things can get heavy, like with Infinity War and Endgame, but for the most part, the MCU isn't super serious and the characterizations are all kind of samey.
The Sentry represents a character and a concept that is outside the MCU's usual oeuvre and there's a good chance they would change things that would hurt the concept so it could fit better with the tenor of the overall product.