Jensen Ackles Shares His Thoughts on the Supernatural Reunion and Soldier Boy’s Background in Vought Rising
SPOILERS: This article contains details about The Boys, Season 5 episode ‘One-Shots’
In a nostalgic twist for fans, this week’s episode of The Boys features a reunion of the Winchester family. Creator Eric Kripke brings back stars from his previous hit series, Supernatural, delivering memorable cameos.
Jensen Ackles, who reprises his role as Soldier Boy, remarked on the experience: “Getting on set with those guys is always going to be familiar and comfortable. The odd thing was doing it in a new environment with different costumes and crew,” he explained. “But look, we’re pros, and that’s what we do.”
In the episode titled ‘One-Shots’, Soldier Boy and Homelander (Antony Starr) visit Marathon Man (Jared Padalecki), a former member of The Seven, to acquire some V1. This substance will grant Homelander immortality as Billy Butcher (Karl Urban) plans to eliminate all Supes using a lethal virus.
At Marathon Man’s sprawling mansion, a poker game ensues, featuring Malchemical (Misha Collins), who possesses the unique ability to emit toxic gas. The episode also includes series executive producers Seth Rogen, Kumail Nanjiani, Will Forte, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, all appearing as heightened versions of themselves.
Ackles elaborated on stepping into the character of Soldier Boy: “I felt comfortable in that suit enough to be able to work with somebody I had worked with for 15 years, playing a different character.” He noted the experience felt seamless despite the shift in narrative context.
Reflecting on their time in Supernatural, Ackles remarked, “We played different versions of ourselves for 15 years, so it wasn’t that big of a stretch for us to pretend to be someone other than what we used to."
Although The Boys is set to air its series finale on May 20, Ackles is set to continue his portrayal of Soldier Boy in the upcoming prequel Vought Rising, scheduled for release on Prime Video in 2027.
Discussing the deepening complexity of Soldier Boy’s character, Ackles stated, “It’s exciting and a bit challenging because I’ve come to know modern-day Soldier Boy quite well. This narrative delves into his origins before a lot of the chaos unfolded.” He emphasized the importance of these backstory elements in understanding Soldier Boy’s evolution.
As the farewell approaches for The Boys, Ackles expressed gratitude for the experience: “I’m aware that I’m a guest in their house. I’ve been fortunate to play a role over two full seasons. I respect their accomplishment and will happily applaud them for everything they’ve built.”
Ackles also shared insights into the improvisation from co-stars Rogen, Nanjiani, and Mintz-Plasse, noting that their creative minds often led to some hilarious moments on set. “I knew what was written, but seeing how they conveyed their points in different ways was astonishing,” he remarked.
With the finale looming, the anticipation among fans is palpable as they await the future of both The Boys and the character of Soldier Boy in Vought Rising.
