The Boys universe expands with a thrilling prequel

A new chapter: Vought Rising

The universe of “The Boys” is set to expand with an exciting new prequel series titled “Vought Rising”. This new addition will feature Jensen Ackles reprising his role as Soldier Boy and Aya Cash returning as Stormfront. Set in the gritty backdrop of 1950s New York, this series promises to delve into the dark origins of Vought International.

A lurid pulp saga

During a recent Comic-Con panel, Ackles made a surprise appearance to announce the prequel, describing it as a “lurid pulp saga prequel.” The series will explore the early exploits of Soldier Boy and the sinister maneuvers of a supe known as Stormfront, who was then going by the name Clara Vought.

Executive producers Eric Kripke and Paul Grellong expressed their excitement: “We are thrilled to bring you the next deranged series from the world of ‘The Boys.’ It’s a twisted murder mystery about the origins of Vought in the 1950s, the early exploits of Soldier Boy, and the diabolical maneuvers of a supe known to fans as Stormfront, who was then going by the name Clara Vought. We cannot wait to blow your minds and trouble your souls with this salacious, grisly saga drenched in blood and Compound V.”

The Boys panel highlights

The Comic-Con panel for “The Boys” was a star-studded event, featuring cast members such as Jack Quaid, Erin Moriarty, Karen Fukuhara, Tomer Capone, Laz Alonso, Antony Starr, Jessie T. Usher, Claudia Doumit, Nathan Mitchell, Chace Crawford, Susan Heyward, and Valorie Curry. The panel was moderated by Jeffrey Dean Morgan and kicked off with a musical medley of songs from the show, including “Chimps Don’t Cry,” “Never Truly Vanish,” “Let’s Put the Christ Back in Christmas,” and A-Train’s rap “Faster.”

Behind the scenes: The weirdest scene

One of the most talked-about moments during the panel was the discussion of a particularly cringeworthy scene from Season 4. Antony Starr, who plays Homelander, revealed that the breastfeeding scene between Homelander and Firecracker was “the weirdest thing” he has done on the show. Known for its bizarre and shocking content, “The Boys” outdid itself with this scene, where Homelander breastfeeds from Firecracker while being cradled like a baby.

Starr explained, “It was the psychology behind it, it turned into a love scene. I don’t know if you heard me, but I was like, ‘What the fuck are we doing?'” Valorie Curry, who plays Firecracker, added that she clearly remembered the moment and even got an indentation of Homelander’s eagle insignia from his costume on her thigh. She also revealed that Starr “took almond milk straight to the eye” while filming.

Season 4 cliffhangers

Season 4 of “The Boys” wrapped up with several cliffhangers, setting the stage for an intense final season. Homelander, played by Antony Starr, has effectively taken over the U.S. government after the new president enacted martial law. With Vought’s power dramatically increased, the Boys have been split up, kidnapped, and taken to undisclosed locations. Hughie (Jack Quaid), Starlight (Erin Moriarty), Mother’s Milk (Laz Alonso), Frenchie (Tomer Capone), and Kimiko (Karen Fukuhara) are all missing in action.

The post-credits scene revealed that Jensen Ackles’ Soldier Boy, a Captain America ripoff introduced in Season 3, has been preserved in a cryo-chamber. In Season 3, Homelander learned that Soldier Boy is his father, setting up an awkward family reunion for Season 5.

Real-world parallels

The Season 4 finale featured an attempted attack by a shapeshifter on the president-elect, which aired just days after a real-life assassination attempt on a former president. Originally titled “Assassination Run,” the episode was retitled to simply “Season Four Finale” and included a content warning explaining that the episode was shot in 2023 and any similarities to real-world events were coincidental and unintentional.

Prime Video shared a statement: “The season finale of ‘The Boys’ contains scenes of fictional political violence, which some viewers may find disturbing, especially in light of the injuries and tragic loss of life sustained during the assassination attempt on former President Trump. ‘The Boys’ is a fictitious series that was filmed in 2023, and any scene or plotline similarities to these real-world events are coincidental and unintentional. Amazon, Sony Pictures Television, and the producers of ‘The Boys’ reject, in the strongest terms, real-world violence of any kind.”

Looking ahead

As fans eagerly await the final season of “The Boys,” the announcement of “Vought Rising” adds another layer of excitement. This prequel promises to explore the dark and twisted origins of Vought International, offering a deeper understanding of the world that has captivated audiences. For those who can’t wait, check out the trailer for “Vought Rising” to get a sneak peek of what’s to come.

Stay tuned for more updates on “The Boys” and its expanding universe.