Spoilers for the MCU’sThunderbolts*ahead.
NetEase has confirmed a staggering goal forMarvel Rivals. Per the game’s developers,Marvel Rivalswill add at least one new character to its roster each month. Over a dozen characters have been leaked for the shooter’s character roster, though exact dates for these alleged heroes, anti-heroes, and villains, remain in the dark. Despite the names currently being tossed around, NetEase may want to consider the latest film entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as great source material forMarvel Rivals.
Thunderboltshas received a rapturous reception from MCU fans, film critics, and the box office. As a result, thecharacters ofThunderboltsare starting to receive more attention, with fan works for the film beginning to skyrocket. Clearly, there is an appetite for this roster of characters. It would only make sense forMarvel Rivalsto capitalize on the property, but NetEase will have to determine which member of the team it adds first. Of course, the Winter Soldier has been onMarvel Rivals’ roster since launch. But other members of the team, like Red Guardian, U.S. Agent, and Yelena Belova, have similar superpowers to heroes already on theRivalsroster, like Captain America and Black Widow. Choosing characters that don’t share similarities, like Taskmaster or Ghost, may beRivals’ best bet forThunderboltsrepresentation. But rather than these two antiheroes,Marvel Rivalsshould definitely addThunderbolts’s breakout star.
Concealed from general non-comic-reading MCU fans inThunderbolts*’s trailer, audiences were first introduced to Robert Reynolds, also known byhis superhero name Sentry, and simply as “Bob.” Played expertly by Lewis Pullman, Bob is not only full of adorkable naive charm, but a haunting dark side that is both terrifyingly confident and depressingly self-deprecating. MCU fans have quickly latched onto all of Bob’s facets, from Bob to Sentry to the Void.
TheMCU’s depiction of Sentry is different from the comics, both in his backstory and certain aspects of characterization. Thankfully, the MCU maintains Robert Reynolds as the Void, aptly using this side of Sentry not just as one of the main antagonists ofThunderbolts*, but also as an allegory for mental illness. With parts of Sentry’s comics characterization established in the MCU, NetEase can easily decide to use these confirmed features when adapting the hero forMarvel Rivals. Including Sentry inMarvel Rivalscould also be an incredibly popular move, considering how the character has quickly become an MCU fan favorite.
What Marvel Rivals' Adaptation of Sentry Could Look Like
Marvel Rivalshas cleverly navigated adaptingMarvel charactersfor its roster, picking and choosing what parts of characterization make it into the shooter. This has led to certain characters leaning more towards their MCU counterparts while others are closer to the comics. In the case of Sentry,Marvel Rivalshas much more meat to play with by adapting more of Sentry’s Marvel Comics storylines. Some comic readers consider Sentry to be a tad overpowered. After all, the superhero does have the “power of one million exploding suns.” Sentry has also gone toe-to-toe with most of the Avengers, with multiple heroes having to fight together in order to defeat him.
This power is only amplified when Sentry is taken over by the Void, which has the same capabilities as Sentry with a few extra powers, such as the ability to create destructive storms and special tendrils that force opponents to experience visions. If added toRivals, Sentry would probably be best suited for the Duelist role in more of a heavy-hitting capacity,similar to Wolverine or Punisher.
Sentry’s super speed and damage abilities that can even wound the Hulk make him better suited as a Duelist rather than a Vanguard. The Void should also be represented inRivals, likely as Sentry’s Ultimate ability. Thisultimate could be similar to Cloak and Dagger’s, with its own unique twist. Sentry is definitely a hero that could shake upMarvel Rivals’ meta and would be a perfect addition after the success ofThunderbolts*.
