Is Soldier Boy different in The Boys prequel? Jensen Ackles reveals

When The Boys' prequel, Vought Rising, was announced, all eyes turned to Jensen Ackles' Soldier Boy. Since the upcoming prequel is set in the 1950s, the series digs into Soldier Boy's early years. Ackles has confirmed that the upcoming The Boys prequel will showcase a different version of the character.

Ackles' comments offer a rare glimpse into the life of television's most aggressive supes before becoming Vought's "top dog."

Continue reading to know more.

Jensen Ackles on his role as Soldier Boy in The Boys' upcoming prequel

In a chat with Variety, Ackles admitted that the Soldier Boy viewers met in The Boys had decades of fame, experience, and entitlement. That gave him confidence, gravitas, and ruthless arrogance. In Vought Rising, however, he is just getting started. Ackles explains that even though it is the same person, there are ample differences:

"Going back 70-odd years you start to see him before he has necessarily the swagger and the gravitas and the life lived of 75 years of being the top dog."

In The Boys prequel, Vought Rising, the viewers will be introduced to a Soldier Boy who's not yet the most powerful face of Vought's propaganda. Ackles made it clear that Soldier Boy won't feel like a stranger, but he won't be the menace fans remember.

Origin, flaws, and first impression

The Boys prequel promises more than a younger Soldier Boy. It offers the origins of Vought Corporation, the development of Compound V, and how the company manufactured its legends. Apart from Ackles, the series features Mason Dye, Will Hochman, Elizabeth Posey, KiKi Layne, Aya Cash, Jorden Myrie, Ricky Stafferi, Brian J. Smith, and Nicolo Pasetti.

Ackles also hinted that this prequel will reveal the relationships and the traits that were absent from the main series. He told Variety,

"There’s certainly scenes, relationships and character traits that predate how we see him in modern day, and that’s fun to play with. Now, that’s not to say he’s going to be a completely different character and he’s not going to be the tough guy that I think we know and love."

Thus giving us a chance to explore the small cracks that eventually widened into chasms. The arrogance, cruelty, and casual bigotry weren't just spontaneous traits; they were cultivated.

What does it mean for The Boys?

The prequel won't leave the fans in a vacuum. With The Boys Season 5 already in the works, get ready for a double dose of both the past and present. This means Ackles will be pulling two versions of his character: the grizzled modern Soldier Boy on one hand and the ambitious younger version on the other. The contrast could be vital for his character arc, and finally the viewers will have answers about the origins of Soldier Boy.

It's quite rare for a villain to get such a layered arc, especially after such a popular debut. If anyone can pull it off smoothly, it is Jensen Ackles. His charm mixed with menace is crucial for the role. The Boys Season 5 is set to release in 2026, while Vought Rising is in early production and has yet to set a premiere date.

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Also read: The Boys: How to watch every show and spin-off in order

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