What if Captain America… was a bit of a dick?
That’s probably the best way to sum up Soldier Boy, who will be played by Supernatural‘s Jensen Ackles in season 3 of Amazon’s smash hit comic book adaptation The Boys. It would be an understatement to say that showrunner Eric Kripke has done an interesting and often alarming job in dealing with Homelander, the source material’s twisted spin on Superman, so the idea of him heading down the jingoistic route with his old collaborator is a tantalizing prospect.
It’s unclear how rigidly The Boys will adhere to Soldier Boy’s origins on the printed page, where he was created by Vought during World War II to help turn the tide against the Nazis. However, Billy Butcher remains adamant that he never actually fought in the war, while he’s positioned as the leader of Supe squad Payback but really wants to be part of the Seven, and in what would be a rarity for the R-rated series, he doesn’t use foul language, either, and sort of sits out the hardcore Herogasm story.
Regardless of how faithful the translation turns out to be, the first look at Ackles in full costume is going down a storm with fans online, and you can check out some of the reactions below.
https://twitter.com/marcsimps0n/status/1401955059995402247
Jensen Ackles is so attractive it's like looking into the god damn sun.
Sometimes I'm like "But am I a lesbian?" And then my brain goes "But Jensen Ackles" and im like "Oh, that's right."— hil (@ladyxboheme_) June 7, 2021
I see Jensen Ackles is trending. As he should be!
— Sonya (@winchesterwoman) June 7, 2021
OMFG im so behind jensen ackles/dean updates that I forgot about this 😌 🙌 my eyes have been blessed, thank you g
— minnie 🌙 (@michelle1062tx) June 7, 2021
Jensen Ackles as Soldier Boy is just 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥😍😍😍 pic.twitter.com/KT2xk5wgWi
— Mahdis (@Mahdis_hk) June 7, 2021
I mean, it's Jensen Ackles.
And The Boys is great!
— Christina Garnett (@ThatChristinaG) June 7, 2021
https://twitter.com/nebulaetumbra/status/1401954049038110725
I'll never outgrow the Jensen Ackles thirst trap effect https://t.co/uoEUGTwWEU
— Lizzie 🐯 (@KitKatEliza) June 7, 2021
Girl, I think that they're doing an infamous storyline from The Boys's comics called "Herogasm", and, if so, there's gonna be a treat for you as a Jensen Ackles fan. ❤
— If Katharine Hepburn Was Raised By Wolves… (@splashthatcat) June 7, 2021
im scared for jensen ackles. he’s gonna get in trouble for playing this character too well, i can feel it.
— andrew niggarfield (@oIiviatv) June 7, 2021
It’s almost worrying to hear how everyone involved in season 3 of The Boys is throwing around adjectives like bigger, wilder, crazier, bloodier and more insane, because things have gotten pretty extreme over the first two runs. Then again, it’s officially one of the most popular shows on either television or streaming looking at the last batch of ratings, so upping the ante is to be expected.