Lewis Pullman’s Superpowered Journey: From Email Blunders to Avenger Status
Lewis Pullman, the rising star poised to electrify the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the Sentry, a character with enough power to make even Thor sweat, is charmingly candid about his slightly chaotic entry into the Avengers fold. In a recent interview, Pullman revealed a relatable human side, admitting that his initial reaction to being cast in the highly anticipated "Avengers: Doomsday" was a mix of disbelief and self-deprecating humor, punctuated by a missed email or two.
The son of the esteemed actor Bill Pullman, Lewis Pullman isn’t exactly new to the world of Hollywood grandeur. He’s carved his own path through diverse roles, from the tense cockpit of "Top Gun: Maverick" to the eerie shadows of "Salem’s Lot," and even earned an Emmy nomination for his compelling performance in "Lessons in Chemistry." However, stepping into the MCU, especially as a character of the Sentry’s magnitude, felt different, almost surreal.
"It does feel like a little bit of this untouchable world," Pullman confesses. "I just kept waiting for somebody to announce that they had made some grand error. But I made it this far." His journey began, as many modern narratives do, with a missed communication. Pullman sheepishly admits he needs to be more vigilant with his email inbox. He missed the grand livestream reveal of the "Avengers: Doomsday" cast in March, a moment that publicly confirmed his place among the Avengers elite alongside Anthony Mackie’s Captain America and Chris Hemsworth’s Thor.
The clues were there, of course. Pullman recalls filming a short cameo for the "Thunderbolts*" post-credits scene, a scene specifically designed to tee up the events of "Doomsday." The realization dawned on him after a day of shooting in Vancouver. "I got back to my phone and I had all these texts," he recounts. "It was such a massive amount of possibilities that lie within that piece of information." The magnitude of the opportunity hit him like a super-powered punch.
Pullman’s character, Robert Reynolds, the Sentry, is no ordinary Avenger. He’s arguably the most powerful, wielding abilities that rival even the most seasoned cosmic entities. However, his immense power comes with a heavy price. Reynolds struggles with a dark alter ego, a manifestation of his inner trauma known as The Void.
The film delves into the complexities of Reynolds’ psyche, exploring the duality of his nature and the challenges of controlling such immense power. He finds himself alongside Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), forming an unconventional team grappling with their own demons and pasts.
Delving deeper into the Sentry’s origins, the movie reveals a tragic past. Reynolds is portrayed as a troubled meth addict who volunteered for a dangerous experiment orchestrated by CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) in a desperate attempt to gain superpowers. Initially presumed dead, he resurfaces, transformed into the Sentry, complete with a cape and a supersuit befitting his Superman-esque abilities.
The Void, the Sentry’s dark counterpart, represents the manifestation of Reynolds’ inner turmoil and unresolved trauma. Pullman describes The Void as "a mirror that we often hide from. And then to be forced to look at it is really informative if you can sit through it." He recognizes that everyone possesses a "shadow self," and the challenge lies in understanding, harnessing, and controlling these darker aspects of our personalities.
Playing the Sentry required Pullman to embody three distinct roles: the vulnerable Robert Reynolds, the god-like Sentry, and the terrifying Void. He admits to experiencing self-doubt before filming "Thunderbolts*," a sentiment that was thankfully eased by the support of his co-star, Florence Pugh. "She saw in me maybe a little bit of fear probably," he shares. "She didn’t make a big deal out of it, and she just really subtly would give me a little piece of advice that was actually massive for me."
Pullman’s creative upbringing undoubtedly contributed to his versatility as an actor. Raised in a family brimming with artistic expression, with his father being a celebrated actor, his mother Tamara Hurwitz a modern dancer and choreographer, his sister Maesa a singer and songwriter, and his brother Jack a mask and puppet designer, he was encouraged to explore a multitude of passions.
"The idea that you don’t have to choose one thing" was instilled in him from a young age. At various points in his life, Pullman dreamed of becoming a drummer, an artist, a social worker, and even a rancher. Acting, he believes, provides a unique opportunity to continually learn and explore new skills. "I’ve become incredibly mediocre at so many different things from having a month or two of training, whether it be roping or rowing or paddle boarding or surfing. It pushes you to explore certain cavernous areas of yourself that normally you would neglect."
Despite the demands of his acting career, Pullman makes a conscious effort to nurture his other passions. After wrapping a recent film project, he immediately returned home and spent three hours behind his drum set. "It’s an amazing way to keep an even air flow throughout your creative avenues, by continually shaking up the Etch A Sketch," he explains.
Looking ahead, Pullman has a diverse range of projects on the horizon. He’s set to star in the historical drama musical "Ann Lee" alongside Amanda Seyfried and recently completed production on Netflix’s "Remarkably Bright Creatures," an adaptation of the Shelby Van Pelt novel featuring Sally Field and a surprisingly intelligent giant octopus.
While a start date for "Doomsday," which will film in London, remains elusive, Pullman anticipates joining the project soon. The prospect of entering the Avengers’ world has ignited his imagination, and he’s eager to explore the myriad possibilities that lie ahead for Robert Reynolds.
The cast is, in his words, "an embarrassment of riches," and Pullman harbors a particular hope of sharing a scene with Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. "Iron Man is really how I fell in love with Marvel, so that would be a wild full circle moment for me." He recognizes the profound impact of the franchise on his own cinematic journey and embraces the opportunity to contribute to its ongoing legacy.
For Lewis Pullman, the journey into the MCU is more than just a career milestone; it’s a chance to explore the depths of human nature through the lens of a supremely powerful, yet deeply flawed character. And hopefully, he’ll remember to check his emails along the way.
