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Something about me? I have been a nerdy cinephile for as long as I can remember. Putting the two together is living my best life. That notwithstanding, I was born to express, not to impress, so I blog because I don't have friends. In other news, I like hashtags because they look like waffles, prefer my puns intended, and I always give 100% unless I'm donating blood. Thanks for reading.
Welp, that was fast and Steven Yeun is no longer going to be one of the most powerful heroes in Marvel, Sentry. Unfortunately, The Walking Dead and Invincible actor has put on the brakes on the rumor mill spinning out of control about joining Thunderbolts as Robert Reynolds, the superhuman high schooler.
Why? The Hollywood Reporter confirmed it:
Steven Yeun will not be suiting up for Thunderbolts, the antihero-centric feature in the works from Marvel Studios, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.
Although some people griped about race swapping, this was some of Kevin Feige-type casting. It’s way out of nowhere and it could be assumed that the grand overlord of the MCU knows something about Sentry in live-action we don’t ourselves. When it comes to that man’s ideas about CBMs, he rarely misses.
As it goes, Steven Yeun as Sentry missed. What’s stopping The Cinema Spot from fan-casting the role from here? We’ll tag Feige when we post this, so here’s to hoping we have some input.
Here are our Top 7 fancasting Sentry selections.
HM. Henry Cavill
This is the shortest of stretches to label Henry Cavill as the Sentry. The guy understands what it means to be a boy demigod who grows into what becomes Krypton’s Last sSon. He understands the tumult to be a man and a monster, to be a hero and a villain, to be what he needs to be and to put that on a shelf to be what he wants to be.
We’ve seen it, and since we know the guy was so Kal-El, why couldn’t he do the same to the role of Robert Reynolds? He could and he would crush it. Yet, the CBM life didn’t end on the highest of notes, so this may not be as welcome. Who knows? Maybe ‘007 is calling. At least they should be!
7. Andrew Koji
If Feige was willing to race-swap and get inclusive with this role of a blond-haired, blue-eyed demigod being given to Steven Yeun, then maybe he would consider still moving in that arena to find someone who has shown more force and leadership abilities with Andrew Koji.
Have you seen Jonathan Tropper’s Warrior? It’s not only taken from the teachings of Senpai Bruce Lee, but the skills, the choreography, and the veritas found in each scene of each season are contagious! At the heart of each multifaceted conflict is Koji. Kevin Feige was encouraged to add some melanin to the role once. He can do it again.
6. Charlie Hunnam
It seems like destiny will have Charlie Hunnam in spandex ever since he smoked up the FX screen as Jax Teller in Sons of Anarchy. The guy exudes machismo like most nerds who get cold sweats when a new Call of Duty drops or Mark Hamill likes a tweet they wrote.
And then, Hunnam became the lead of King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. He was regal and a force of strength and power. Maybe seeing him whoop up on the infidels in Netflix’s Triple Frontier will provide the confidence he needs to rock the yellow and blue to become the psionic force anti-hero, Sentry. This is a role he would crush better than most. That notwithstanding, James Gunn may be calling him to a new Green Arrow, so it’s first dibs, people! May the best comic outfit win.
5. Alexander Ludwig
Did anyone see one episode of Vikings?! The tapings, conversations, and heat of the dialogue suck in before the violent destruction takes place. Ludwig understands how to “lose his mind” and “get lost in the visceral manifestation of evil.” Those are two strong things we would need for Sentry to come through the screen.
Among Sentry’s strongest aptitudes are raw intelligence, durability, and super strength. Anything you have been fortunate to see in scenes with Vikings, all three were on full display, bravado, and bodacious busting ass all in one. If Feige or anyone is worried his star power wouldn’t be enough to carry the role of Sentry, give him a fight or two. You’ll see.
4. Alan Ritchson
If you look at a few Marvel Comics with Sentry, then you learn about this intimidating, brooding man who is unassuming, although he looks like a local rock star. Some may want to bum-rush the guy for an autograph, but he wants to make a serious change. That’s when Robert Reynolds understands his powers. Now imagine Alan Ritchson has been given these powers.
Now, give that man limitless strength never-ending power and drive to find success at all costs. That’s where a man of this unparalleled power understands he can make changes–and by any means necessary. And then say to Ritchson, “ACTION!”
3. Justin Kucsulain
This is a serious dude. Justin Kucsulain has roles to his credit in The Walking Dead, Homeland, and Bloodline. His roles are known for ferocious power, dazzling wit, and the ability to kick ass. The guy is also a practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu student. As Sentry, Kucsulain would be able to possess all those powers inside a torn mind.
He dyes his locks a dirty blond and we have a Robert Reynolds becoming the Sentry before our eyes. In those aforementioned roles, Kucsulain emoted someone who can flick a switch between an empathic friend and a psychopathic anti-hero. The pain of the heart is always at risk because Sentry is empowered to destroy the forces of evil, except when he is the evil. Kucsulain would be a strong candidate.
2. Alexander Skarsgård
Did you see The Northman?! As Sentry, Alexander Skarsgård would be a huge get for the MCU. As the Norse legend, Amleth made his emotion on screen visceral. The intensity and raw expressions make him a spectacular decision as Sentry.
Why does that matter for Robert Reynolds? He is a torn soul–needs to love the human race to save along with all the power in the universe to destroy them. That is a moral schism for Sentry. As a fly on the wall, he struggles with schizophrenia and an anxiety disorder. He hates feeling this way because his brain tugs at him in separate directions frequently. One of the voices raging in his head takes over as “The Void.”
This a malevolent force deep within him that bonded with him when Reynolds became Sentry. Anything that hero can do, The Void wants to do better…well, worse. Think Homelander from The Boys with a strong identity complex and formidable psionic powers. And when your role is described as someone whose power is as powerful as “a million exploding suns,” you need someone convincing in this position.
1. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
Meet Sentry, otherwise known as Jaime Lannister on Game of Thrones. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau would be a superb choice as the Marvel force of psionic nature. Although he is usually a man of distinction and strength, Coster-Waldau possesses the innate veritas to become Sentry. In Game of Thrones, he boinked his sister while trying to be king. That’s polarizing veritas if ever anyone had it.
Although, think about his most gripping scenes, like when his sister told him to execute Olenna. Who wasn’t sucked into the choice for poison, or the Season 7 finale when he finally got the Cersei bug out of his system. The guy knows how to create tension and passion in the same character. Sentry is a shattered soul, much like Jaime. When Richard is imbued with powers that would make Superman jealous, he’s not sure how to use them and who deserves them.
There’s another Danish actor, Mads Mikkelsen, who is stellar and understated in sci-fi, fantasy, and action films. Maybe it’s a geographical thing but Coster-Waldau has got that insta-villain vibe about him as well. When he’s a good guy, he’s that dude who looks like Prince Charming in Shrek. But when he’s a bad guy, he is nails! So when the Sentry devolves into The Void, Coster-Waldau would be possessed with a power that would make Tom Hardy amateur with Venom.
Sentry is supposed to be the first primary source of conflict with the Thunderbolts. And he would make the splash typical of a Feige production!
Something about me? I have been a nerdy cinephile for as long as I can remember. Putting the two together is living my best life. That notwithstanding, I was born to express, not to impress, so I blog because I don't have friends. In other news, I like hashtags because they look like waffles, prefer my puns intended, and I always give 100% unless I'm donating blood. Thanks for reading.
This article was edited by John Tangalin.