The Boys star Jensen Ackles teases how Soldier Boy will likely be totally different within the upcoming prequel Vought Rising. Set throughout the Fifties, Vought Rising’s story sees Ackles reprising the function of Soldier Boy in his heyday, together with exploring the origins of Vought and Compound V.
Soldier Boy just isn’t the one acquainted character starring within the prequel, as Aya Money can also be returning to painting Stormfront, who beforehand appeared in The Boys seasons 2 and three. Ackles can also be enjoying Soldier Boy once more in The Boys season 5.
Whereas talking with Selection, Ackles hints that Soldier Boy won’t have the identical “swagger and gravitas” as in The Boys as a result of he has not spent a long time as “the top dog.” He emphasised that Soldier Boy will not really feel like a completely totally different character, however he will not be “the tough guy” followers suppose they know.
Ackles additionally addresses the distinctive expertise he and Money have had with returning to characters they’ve performed earlier than on a special present the place they’re surrounded by a brand new forged of actors. Try his feedback under:
Clearly, they’re the identical man, however definitely there’s lots of life that Soldier Boy has lived after we see him in “The Boys” and after we see him in Season 5 — how he’s referring to folks, the issues which might be necessary to him, the issues that he’s prepared to only slough off, his thought of the life he needs to steer. After which going again 70-odd years to see him when he was actually beginning to get going, I’m ready now to take care of the struggles that made him who he turned, and also you begin to see him earlier than he has essentially the swagger and the gravitas and the life lived of 75 years of being the highest canine.
[“Vought Rising”] predates all that, so I believe I’m attempting to indicate a little bit bit extra of an early model of it — not essentially an innocence to it, however there’s definitely scenes, relationships and character traits that predate how we see him in modern-day, and that’s enjoyable to play with. Now, that’s to not say he’s going to be a very totally different character and he’s not going to be the robust man that I believe we all know and love. That’s there, and we’ll get there rapidly, however it’s enjoyable to indicate the origin of how this man turned who he’s, and what had been the little tips and little ticks that crafted him into the place we see him now.
Nevertheless it’s humorous — Aya [Cash, who plays Stormfront] and I had been speaking and dealing collectively the opposite day. It’s bizarre coming right into a present nearly feeling such as you’re coming again to a present, since you’re enjoying the identical character, nevertheless it’s a completely totally different present. There’s all new actors that you simply’re working with, all new characters, and all new relationships that you simply’re creating as that character, and he or she was like, “It’s like coming home, and you’ve sold the house and there’s a new family living there. This feels familiar, but feels very unfamiliar too.” So we’re nonetheless looking for our footing. I’m glad we’ve got one another, and all people that we’re working with has been tremendous nice.
What This Means For Vought Rising
Jensen Ackles as Soldier Boy in The Boys
Ackles’ feedback point out that when he’s first launched within the Fifties, Soldier Boy won’t have the boldness and vanity that defines his persona in The Boys. This model of the character just isn’t as certain of himself and has not but turn out to be the world’s most well-known supe within the years earlier than Homelander.
Such an method has the potential to make Soldier Boy really feel extra humane and relatable than he’s in The Boys, though that won’t final for too lengthy. Vought Rising will present how Soldier Boy will get to the purpose of being the company’s “top dog” and the face of supes around the globe, and what causes his unparalleled sense of entitlement.
With The Boys season 5 having already completed filming and releasing earlier than Vought Rising, it is going to be fascinating to see Soldier Boy in modern-day, after which have that contrasted together with his origins in Vought Rising. It’ll add extra context and doubtlessly recontextualize quite a lot of his journey in The Boys.
Soldier Boy wanting down in The Boys season 3 episode 7
Soldier Boy is likely one of the most entertaining characters in The Boys franchise, however he is additionally one of the crucial unlikable because of his bigotry, vanity, and the callous methods he hurts others. From Ackles’ feedback, it’s unclear whether or not the prequel will make him sympathetic or if he’ll simply lack swagger and confidence at this level.
I personally hope it’s extra of the latter, as not each villainous character wants a sympathetic backstory. It’s extra compelling to discover the concept that Soldier Boy was by no means a very good particular person in The Boys universe, and that Vought and Compound V merely enabled the worst model of him.
The Boys
7/10
Launch Date
July 25, 2019
Showrunner
Eric Kripke
Gen V
8/10
Launch Date
September 28, 2023
Community
Prime Video
Administrators
Nelson Cragg, Clare Kilner, Philip Sgriccia, Sanaa Hamri, Shana Stein, Steve Boyum
Lizze Broadway
Emma Meyer / Little Cricket
