Avengers: Doomsday Already Has Its Hulk Replacement and He’s Perfect

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Many fans wonder if an Avengers movie truly feels complete without the Hulk. Mark Ruffalo has played Bruce Banner/Hulk and been a key member of the Avengers team since the first film in 2012. But surprisingly, it appears Bruce and the Hulk won’t be in the upcoming massive crossover event, Avengers: Doomsday.

Mark Ruffalo has confirmed he won’t be in the upcoming movie Doomsday, leading fans to speculate about who would take his place. The answer was actually revealed earlier: Lewis Pullman, who plays Sentry and was first introduced in Thunderbolts (2025), will return in Avengers: Doomsday. Many are noticing the character shares a lot of similarities with Bruce Banner/Hulk.

As a lifelong movie fan, I’ve always been fascinated by characters wrestling with inner demons. These two are prime examples – they’re both haunted by something monstrous within, and when that side of them breaks free, the consequences are huge. What’s really compelling, though, is that this internal struggle isn’t just a threat to the villains; it makes them unpredictable and potentially dangerous even to the people on their own side. It adds a real layer of complexity, you know?

While the Hulk is incredibly strong, Sentry’s darker side, the Void, is even more powerful and dangerous. So, even though Doomsday won’t get to fight the Hulk, the movie is getting a significant power boost with this change.

How Powerful Is Sentry in the MCU? 

Bob Reynolds has a heartbreaking past, like many of the most powerful individuals in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He used to struggle with addiction, but he bravely volunteered for a dangerous experiment run by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine and her secret organization, the OXE Group. Their goal was to create a hero stronger than all the Avengers combined, and Reynolds was the sole survivor of the process.

The experiment succeeded, but with significant problems. Bob’s history of mental health issues caused his newfound powers to be incredibly unstable. Instead of creating a controllable super-soldier, the process split him into two distinct personalities. One is Sentry, a remarkably powerful hero with superhuman strength, the ability to fly, healing powers, and telepathic abilities. The other is Void, a shadowy being created from Bob’s past trauma, capable of engulfing city blocks in darkness and imprisoning people within terrifying, memory-based worlds.

In Thunderbolts, a powerful being called the Void destroyed much of Manhattan. The team didn’t defeat it through fighting, but by connecting with the person inside – Bob – and helping him regain control. After seeing the devastation, Bob was afraid of losing control again, so he decided to limit his powers. He then joined the Thunderbolts, and is now a crucial member as they face Doomsday.

Why Sentry Works as the Hulk’s Replacement

In many Avengers stories, the Hulk is essentially the team’s powerhouse, called upon whenever overwhelming strength is required. Beyond just being strong, he also adds an element of unpredictability that makes the story more exciting. You never quite know when the Hulk might turn on his teammates, sometimes even requiring specialized armor like the Hulk Buster to contain him. The constant battle Bruce Banner faces to control the Hulk is a key part of what makes the character so interesting, especially in team-up movies.

Sentry’s powers are remarkably similar, but go even further. While Bruce Banner becomes the Hulk when he gets angry, Bob’s transformation into the Void is linked to his overall mental well-being, making it more unpredictable.

The Void isn’t easily controlled. It’s a distinct force that actually gains power whenever Sentry uses his abilities. Because of this, Bob – Sentry – could be the team’s most powerful asset, but like the Hulk, using that power comes with a significant risk to everyone around him.

Sentry is incredibly powerful, even by Marvel standards. In the comics, his power is described as equivalent to a million exploding suns – essentially making him one of the strongest characters possible. While the version we see in the Marvel Cinematic Universe isn’t quite as strong, he still effortlessly defeated an entire team in Thunderbolts. Recent reports suggest his mother, Annie Reynolds, will appear in Doomsday. Because Sentry’s powers are linked to his emotions, this family connection could lead to him becoming even more powerful due to increased emotional stress.

Currently, the Hulk isn’t as powerful as he was in Infinity War. With Doctor Doom posing a serious threat, and the upcoming events in Doomsday requiring immense strength, the more intelligent ‘Smart Hulk’ simply won’t be enough. That’s where Sentry comes in – he’s a powerhouse who can help level the playing field. There’s speculation that we might see the classic, savage Hulk return in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and if that happens, he could play a major role in Secret Wars. Until then, Sentry is expected to handle things in Doomsday.

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2026-03-14 21:05