The article initially appeared in
MH Flex
,
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To be among the initial readers. (The piece also includes spoilers for Marvel’s 2025 movie)
Thunderbolts*
.)
LEWIS PULLMAN KNEW
He had to appear muscular, but he wasn’t certain how much of his body would be visible to others.
There’s an instance quite early on in the narrative where
Thunderbolts*
, the 36th movie in the
Marvel Cinematic Universe
, when the 32-year-old actor’s role—a character simply referred to as Bob at the time—is riddled repeatedly with bullets from machine guns. However, Bob doesn’t
just
A guy called Bob; he is actually the Sentry, the outcome of a covert governmental initiative headed by the CIA director.
Valentina Allegra de Fontaine
(Julia Louis-Dreyfus) aims to craft the ideal superhero. Surprisingly, Bob emerges triumphantly even from the physical ruins. However, just how much fabric would cling to someone who has been hit around 1,000 times? Pullman dedicated himself to rigorous full-body workouts for several months before shooting began; regardless of what transpired during the grand unveiling, he intended to be fully prepared.
“I needed to be ready for anything that seemed realistic when dealing with situations where people might attack me with automatic machine guns,” Pullman states during a late April morning discussion.
Men’s Health
’s Manhattan offices, just a couple days before the movie will officially be unveiled to the world. “How much of your shirt is actually going to come off?”
The answer: only about half of it, if that. The result looked like a singed crop top, a comparison Pullman himself makes and later laughs about. “It was the most extreme transformation I’ve ever done,” he says, “and you don’t even see that much of it on camera.”
He had experienced a certain type of last-minute physique cramming before, on the set of
Top Gun: Maverick
(coincidentally, another movie in which he plays a character named Bob). While he keeps his shirt on during
That movie’s well-known football scene
Many others didn’t though. According to Pullman, it was there that he first witnessed co-stars dehydrating themselves to enhance their muscle definition.
exercising right up to the final moments before the shoot begins
In the days before filming began, there was an unprecedented level of masculine insecurity observed on any set,
Glen Powell told
Men’s Health
in 2022
.)
“I was merely an observer for that particular instance,” Pullman states. “However, now that I’ve experienced it—a significant amount—I appear cut up but feel terrible.” Nonetheless, he mentions that it was entirely worthwhile to achieve the exact appearance he desired.
Thunderbolts*
In this scene, it’s evident that Val’s experiments are impacting more than just Bob’s mental wellbeing; they’re also altering him physically. He suffers from episodes of memory loss and sees an increase in pre-existing mental health conditions. However, the superhero transformation seems effective since he recently withstood a barrage of gunfire and possesses abs rivaling those of Thor. “Once we wrapped up that scene,” he recalls, “I treated myself to several Snickers bars. Followed by a milkshake, a burger, some ice cream, and french fries too. A full-on feast—like my own last supper.”
While conversing, Pullman exudes an affable and unpretentious attitude characteristic of someone deeply immersed in the film industry throughout their lifetime. He approaches his craft with dedication yet remains modest about the accompanying excitement and publicity. Occasionally, he mirrors his father, actor Bill Pullman, sharing similar charisma and creative interest, traits that have established his dad as a distinctive figure across a wide range of movies from blockbusters to more niche works.
Independence Day
and David Lynch’s surreal
Lost Highway
Lewis has also appeared in various movies and prominent TV series for almost ten years now. Notable highlights include the cult favorite from 2018.
Troubled Days at El Royale
, Hulu’s
Catch-22
series, and Apple TV+’s
Lessons in Chemistry
, which earned him an Emmy nomination—but his intricate and unexpectedly personal role at the heart of
Thunderbolts*
feels likely to launch him to a new level of stardom.
With
Thunderbolts*
now leading the charge in the MCU’s run toward next summer’s
Avengers: Doomsday,
Pullman spoke with
Men’s Health
regarding securing the part, portraying a hero whose narrative centers on psychological well-being, and what follows afterward.
MEN’S HEALTH:
I’d like to begin with
a quote from
writer-director Drew Goddard
about casting you
in
Troubled Days at El Royale
It was one of those classic casting processes. After seeing numerous actors, along came Lewis, and from the very beginning, you could tell he was perfect for the role. To be honest, this hasn’t happened since Chris Hemsworth walked into the room.
Cabin in the Woods
.You’re simply searching for actors who naturally suit the part—and then also go beyond it.”
LEWIS PULLMAN:
Jesus. God loves Drew Goddard.
MH: He was referring to Chris Hemsworth, in part due to your shared involvement.
Troubled Times at the El Royale
But since you’re also taking on a role as a superhero in the MCU, it brings an entirely different dimension to your work. Do you see this as a significant turning point for yourself?
LP:
To some extent, the circle isn’t quite complete yet since it’s tough to fully grasp and accept. Usually, I maintain modest expectations for such things. Honestly, being part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe was something I never anticipated; I only hoped to enjoy watching it as a fan. Therefore, attending the LA premiere with my family felt incredibly bizarre. Throughout the event, I kept holding onto my mother’s hand, thinking “This can’t possibly be real.” The experience was utterly surreal and strange.
MH:
You had
somewhat unconventional casting approach
for
Thunderbolts*.
What was that like?
LP:
Steven Yeun was initially cast as the Sentry, and I thought that was an excellent choice. It highlighted both the strength of the character and the depth of the universe they were building. However, he had to leave due to conflicts in his schedule and personal commitments—these things happen all the time. This left them scrambling for another actor. Given those circumstances, stepping into Steven’s shoes presented quite a challenge within such a vast cinematic landscape. Yet, my task wasn’t just about fitting in; it involved enhancing the world and adding some familiarity through my interpretation of the part.
Director Jake Schreier consistently emphasized this point during our work together, which was very inspiring. His approach gave me confidence because he encouraged me to explore how I could connect personally with Bob. There was plenty to draw from here, allowing us to forge a strong bond between myself and the character.
MH: You mention Jake, the director, who previously did such great work on
Beef
. Just like
Beef
,
Thunderbolts*
It portrays a great deal of intricacy in its characters—beyond what one might typically anticipate from a superhero film. Have you revisited that series?
LP:
I rewatched
Beef
once I got the role, just so I could see Jake’s eye, what he’s curious about, and where his lens tends to land when he’s telling a story. That was very helpful. He’s very comfortable venturing into the uncomfortable, which is such an interesting mix to add into Marvel. Uncomfortable things can be polarizing. It was a cool, fun risk they were taking with it. There are a lot of topics in the movie that are uncomfortable. It deals a lot with mental health, which can feel too close to home for some people. It can be an area and a topic they want to steer away from. But I think it was a great opportunity for us to say,
Development stems from one’s capacity to endure unease.
I’ve already come across several individuals who have watched this film, and it resonates with them because they managed to endure elements that aren’t typically featured in mainstream blockbusters.
MH: What was the toughest aspect of getting into shape for portraying this nearly divine superhero?
LP:
Discovering a physique that suited both Bob and Sentry was essential. Given their distinct personalities and roles within the narrative, ensuring this change felt authentic presented quite the challenge.
and
It turned out to be quite challenging within a brief period. However, being under the guidance of an exceptional trainer named Brendan Johnston made things easier. He simply stated, “Our objective isn’t about gaining significant muscle bulk.” Instead, our focus was on developing clarity and strengthening those tiny, complex, lean muscles responsible for reflecting illumination effectively. This process heavily involved boxing training, something new to me yet immensely enjoyable. Since wrapping up filming, I’ve kept at it because I dislike traditional cardiovascular exercises. The idea of feeling utterly drained during workouts discourages me from returning to the gym. Therefore, making exercise entertaining ensures I remain motivated enough to drag myself out of bed and hit the gym regularly. Boxing served perfectly well in this regard; one easily loses track of how strenuous it actually feels due to engaging multiple muscle groups simultaneously, awakening ones often inactive throughout daily routines.
MH: The film has quite some thrilling action scenes. At one stage, you’re essentially facing off against an entire squad of superheroes. Can you tell us about the fight training you underwent for this role?
LP:
This involved one of the most immersive and rigorous stunt training sessions I’ve experienced. Being fortunate to collaborate with an outstanding stunt double named Alec Back proved invaluable; he has become a close friend since then. His extensive knowledge and adaptable skill set allowed us to tailor the Sentry’s fighting style specifically for me and according to our vision for the character as a superhero.
Before this project began, I put considerable effort into researching ways for him to develop a distinct combat style both in terms of movement and appearance. It was crucial to me that Sentry’s fighting techniques contrast significantly from those used by Bob. This required incorporating elements reflecting my natural inclination towards messiness when depicting Bob, making his battles appear as chaotic street brawls. Conversely, for the portrayal of Sentry, I focused on executing highly precise yet subtle motions. The intention behind this approach was to emphasize the immense force generated by even minor actions performed by Sentry, thereby highlighting the sheer magnitude of energy contained within him.
MH: The film has one particularly intense scene where the Void battles Bob. Was learning both roles’ choreography necessary for this particular sequence?
LP:
Thanks for bringing this up! No one has asked me about this before, and it was definitely one of the toughest scenes to pull off! As noted earlier, I recently took up boxing, which made filming what essentially amounts to a boxing match quite challenging. In these shots, I needed to portray both fighters, but fortunately, I worked alongside Alec, my stunt double. He played the opposing character whenever I appeared on-camera. Remembering all the moves in such an extended sequence can be tricky since we had to constantly swap roles throughout the entire bout. This meant performing multiple takes over and over again for every angle required during the fight scene.
dozens
Of times. You’re constantly switching back and forth, flickering between roles so quickly that it becomes difficult to recall instantly whether you should be delivering the punch or receiving it. Fortunately, Alec excels at instinctive footwork, allowing us to adapt swiftly. The mental strain was nearly as taxing as physical exertion.
MH: I believe the concept of both literal and metaphorical aspects
fighting
yourself
It’s quite fascinating from a conceptual standpoint and also visually in that particular scene.
LP:
This was quite an operatic and pivotal moment for me personally, walking through and experiencing this event. Since I believe that frequently we become our own worst adversaries. We tend to think we must retain these negative inner voices since they supposedly reside within us for protection against potential threats. Yet more often than not, these same voices depict the least favorable aspects of who we can be and hinder our development into well-rounded emotional individuals. Thus, physically going through the process of silencing those pessimistic emotions proved incredibly impactful for me.
MH: The movie then
Expanding the visual analogy related to mental health, the film features characters navigating through various “rooms of shame” where they face their personal doubts and shortcomings. When you agreed to be part of this project, were you aware from the start that it would delve into these subjects so explicitly, or did those elements gradually emerge during filming?
LP:
When the movie was initially presented to me, it seemed like one theme among several others, not serving as the central focus. However, once we started filming and transitioning through various scenes depicting the “shame rooms” during the final part of the story, I grasped the strength behind the symbolic representation and how effectively they depicted mental mazes filled with anxiety and past traumas. The narrative truly leverages its structure ingeniously since most of our discussions revolve around internal experiences. Recently, Wyatt Russell—who portrays John Walker—made an insightful comment: he mentioned that many Marvel projects delve into exploring outer space, whereas this particular work ventures into ‘inner space,’ focusing on the depths of the human psyche, which can be equally boundless compared to cosmic expanses. This analogy helped encapsulate the essence well.
MH: Bob and Yelena share excellent on-screen chemistry in the film as individuals who grasp what it feels like to struggle with trauma and self-doubt. How would you describe your actual relationship with Florence Pugh?
LP:
Much of this can be attributed to Florence simply standing out as both a distinctive individual and an artist. Her demeanor brims with happiness and laughter, allowing her to engage deeply with every aspect of life. No instant escapes her notice; everything receives careful thought and intention from her. Over time, our relationship deepened significantly, fostering great affection between us since she generously guided me along my journey. This reminded me strongly of those early days when she entered the Marvel Universe—a period marked by considerable apprehension for many. Yet, right away, I sensed security and trust in her presence. Consequently, all genuine moments captured on screen were largely due to Florence’s kindness, humanity, and openness.
MH: Julia Louis-Dreyfus also delivers an outstanding performance in this movie.
LP:
She’s legendary, royal, and the greatest of all time.
MH: There are some truly excellent instances when she shines.
LP:
I continuously strived to maintain my composure. It feels as though I’ve been tossed onto an ice rink without ever having handled a hockey stick, yet I’m supposed to compete at a professional level right away. She possesses remarkable agility and thoughtfulness. Among all the actors, she stands out for dedicating countless hours—hundreds of thousands—to practicing in front of a camera. This makes her incredibly relaxed during filming sessions. Each shot and scene seems perfectly optimized under her management. Her humorously understated self-assurance adds another layer of hilarity to everything she does.
One of the weirdest scenes we filmed involved me grabbing her by the neck—which was quite frightening. It felt as though I held something invaluable, and I thought, “I can’t bring myself to do this!” However, she was eager for realism. She insisted, “You’re truly meant to choke me here.”
MH: One significant moment involving Bob and Val occurs when he emerges wearing the Sentry costume; she provides feedback as his personal focus group, including her observation about his newly dyed blonde hair. What was your experience like going blonde? Was your hair actually colored?
LP:
That wasn’t real hair. Lane Friedman, our amazing wig designer, created it with an intentionally unsettling touch. The idea isn’t for it to resemble your typical superhero appearance—it’s meant to be slightly askew. Its purpose is to provoke some thought.
Something seems off here, but I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is.
And thus, there’s an element of eeriness associated with it. It doesn’t measure up to Thor’s mane! Having blonde hair made me feel odd—it’s likely not something I’d opt for regularly!
MH: Talking about this major, thrilling blockbuster film you’re part of, I’m also quite fond of your father’s acting career…
LP:
Me too.
MH: One thing he did that I really enjoyed, particularly during a specific period in the 1990s, was starring in a major Hollywood blockbuster film like
Independence Day
and then do a very filmmaker-driven movie like
Lost Highway
With David Lynch. Over the past few years, you’ve taken on a somewhat comparable approach by appearing in both large-scale productions and independent films. Do you consider balancing these two types of projects when choosing your roles?
LP:
I’ve always been eager to undertake this endeavor, and I genuinely enjoy the experience of independent film production—it’s essentially where my passion resides. The process comes with numerous challenges though. For one, there’s an evident shortage of both resources and time which aren’t issues you face when working on bigger productions.
Thunderbolts*
However, there’s a sense of urgency to it as well; it feels like chasing a blazing fire because you know each scene gives you only three chances. This makes every moment count, eliminating any wasteful approach to time. Working under these conditions has a thrilling and theatrical quality that I adore. Additionally, it provides a fantastic chance for many fresh voices and viewpoints to emerge. The independent sphere offers opportunities for numerous brilliant minds—those who simply require exposure—to hone their skills.
MH: An independent initiative you’re currently involved with is
Ann Lee
,
The latest movie from Mona Fastvold and Brady Corbet. Last year, I became quite a fan of their work.
The Brutalist
What was that experience like when it was released?
LP:
I really enjoyed that experience. They excel at managing resources efficiently without sacrificing creativity or freedom. Their work feels unrestricted despite limited funds due to clever use of available assets. Plus, Mona serves as an intuitive and daring director. She truly isn’t scared to fully immerse herself in strange and unsettling themes.
and
The lovely. I’m incredibly enthusiastic to witness her input because merely listening to the way she speaks, explores topics, and formulates her queries…I can tell she will offer an exceptionally distinct viewpoint.
MH:
You and
Danny Ramirez
were roommates at some point afterward
Top Gun: Maverick
And now you’re both part of the Marvel Universe. Do you two keep in touch regularly?
LP:
I just spotted him at the
Thunderbolts*
At the premiere, we constantly chat. This friendship is incredibly fortunate for me since our paths have been eerily alike. I’ve merely trailed slightly behind him, yet his valuable guidance and support have been invaluable to me.
We’re really focused on ensuring that nobody feels disappointed when I and he collaborate in upcoming movies. We plan to make the most of this opportunity! We’ve been attempting to launch joint ventures since.
Top Gun
, and we’ve got a few in progress, but we’re really excited for one to finally take place next year.”
Avengers: Doomsday
] And we hardly had to put in any effort at all! Working together has been incredibly enjoyable; our attitudes align perfectly regarding the reasons behind our actions.
MH: B
y the end of
Thunderbolts*
, the Thunderbolts have changed their name to become the New Avengers.
Where does Bob—which leaves him uncertain about keeping the Void at bay indefinitely—proceed next? As you pointed out, he’ll return soon.
Avengers: Doomsday
…
.
LP:
This is an excellent question. I’m genuinely enthusiastic about finding out more. The Thunderbolts are determined not to lose sight of him since they understand that if he falls into the wrong hands or doesn’t receive adequate support from the right individuals, he could become hazardous. However, they also wish to maintain proximity so they can explore ways to utilize his potential. He represents a significant resource for them. They’re in quite a complex predicament. Given all the additional characters set to appear,
A
vengers:
Doomsday
There will be numerous chances to determine how each element could potentially intersect—and how Bob might become involved with any of these elements.
The interview has been revised for content and clarity.
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