Why Steven Yeun Was Recast As Sentry In Marvel’s Thunderbolts* Movie

Thunderbolts* will feature the Marvel Comics character of Sentry, originally set to be played by Steven Yeun before he was recast in the role. The first trailer for Thunderbolts* was released in September 2024, teasing the film’s May 2025 release. As one of many on the list of upcoming Marvel movies, Thunderbolts* is highly anticipated, primarily due to the film featuring the first MCU team-up story since Avengers: Endgame.

A further exciting element of the movie is the cast of Thunderbolts*, which is stacked with fan-favorite MCU characters and actors. Perhaps the most intriguing new addition to the film, however, is the mysterious Bob from Thunderbolts*, highlighted in the first trailer. Bob is actually Robert Reynolds, a Marvel superhero named Sentry. Initially, The Walking Dead star Steven Yeun was attached to start as Bob/Sentry, before being recast and ending his involvement in Marvel’s Thunderbolts* movie.

Why Steven Yeun Was Recast In Thunderbolts*

Yeun’s Departure From The MCU Was Unavoidable

Naturally, the burning question after Yuen left Thunderbolts* was why this happened. As Yeun revealed to Variety in January 2024, the actor had to leave Thunderbolts* due to scheduling conflicts. The Marvel project was initially set to begin filming in 2023 before the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes of that year pushed production back. With Yeun in high demand, Thunderbolts* clashed with other projects, resulting in his departure.

Of the three prominent upcoming projects Yeun will appear in, it is unclear which clashed with Thunderbolts*. Love Me‘s nature as a small indie film means information on its shooting dates has not been provided, while Bong Joon-ho’s highly anticipated Mickey 17 was filmed in the latter months of 2022. Voice actor Ross Marquand stated to GalaxyCon in June 2024 that Invincible season 3 was “almost wrapped,” meaning Yeun will likely have been recording voice lines during Thunderbolts* filming. However, it is more likely that Yeun’s unannounced projects closed with Thunderbolts*, leading to his recasting.

Lewis Pullman Was Cast To Replace Steven Yeun In Thunderbolts*

The New Actor For Thunderbolts* Was Found

Shortly after Yeun departed the project, his replacement was found in Lewis Pullman. Pullman has since commented on his role stating to Entertainment Weekly “All I’ll say is that everyone has their own nicknames and Bob is not his only name.” Pullman also spoke to Josh Horowitz of the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast in which he avoided questions that Bob was the Marvel Comics hero Sentry.

Regarding Pullman’s recent roles, the actor has had some high-profile appearances of late. For example, he has appeared in movies like Bad Times at the El Royale, The Strangers: Prey at Night, and Top Gun: Maverick, to name a few. Pullman’s other notable appearances have come in the world of TV, with several other movie credits on the horizon for the actor besides Thunderbolts*.

Pullman’s MCU debut will come when Thunderbolts* hits theaters in May 2025. Although Yeun’s departure from the project was a disappointment, finding someone of Pullman’s talents to replace him undoubtedly injects the film, and specifically the character of Bob, with a renewed sense of excitement. Hopefully, Thunderbolts* will not be the last time Pullman appears as Bob/Sentry, and Yeun can find another role in the sprawling MCU going forward.

Upcoming MCU Movies