Ackles returns as soldier boy: vought's origins series promises a different beast
The Boys universe is about to expand, and it’s bringing a familiar face—and a whole lot of 1950s swagger—with it. Just as the fifth season of The Boys prepares to ignite Amazon Prime Video on April 8th, details are emerging about Vought Rising, a prequel series set to explore the early days of Vought International and the rise of Soldier Boy. The show, announced in July 2024, will see Jensen Ackles reprise his role, and he’s hinting at a significant shift in tone and characterization.
A retro shift for soldier boy
Ackles, in a recent conversation with Collider, suggests Vought Rising won’t simply rehash what viewers already know. “It’ll feel familiar,” he explained, “we’re taking what really works with The Boys and doing something a little different.” The 1950s setting is a key element, and Ackles emphasizes that unlike Soldier Boy’s more recent, fish-out-of-water status in The Boys, the prequel will place him squarely in his element: “he’s the undisputed leader.” This offers a chance to unpack the events that shaped him, peeling back the layers of the man we’ve come to know.
The character's current predicament—a man struggling to adapt to the digital age—is a source of dark humor in The Boys. But in Vought Rising, Ackles promises, we’ll see Soldier Boy in his prime, a figure of unquestioned authority. “We’re used to seeing him now, out of place, an analog man in a digital world,” he stated. “But here, he's exactly where he needs to be.”
Beyond five seasons: a long-term commitment?
With The Boys already boasting five seasons, Gen V’s two-season run, and the animated anthology The Boys: Presents – Diabolical, the ambition of Vought Rising is understandably a hot topic. While Ackles remains tight-lipped about the precise scope of the series, he did offer a tantalizing glimpse into Amazon’s investment. “I don’t know how extensive it’s going to be compared to The Boys,” he admitted, “but the intention is for it to be a multi-season series.” The depth of Amazon’s commitment suggests a desire to build a robust and enduring narrative foundation for the entire franchise.
The success of The Boys franchise hinges on its ability to continually surprise and subvert expectations, and Vought Rising appears poised to do just that.