The following contains spoilers for Season 3 of The Boys, now streaming on Prime Video.
Jensen Ackles described how he won the role of Soldier Boy in The Boys.
In an interview with Discussing Film, Ackles said he was introduced to the character by his friend, Supernatural creator and The Boys showrunner Eric Kripke. Although Ackles was enthusiastic about the opportunity, Kripke warned him it would be difficult. "Apparently, there was a shortlist of names they were talking about at the studio," Ackles recounted. "I certainly wasn't on that list, and it consisted of names that were far more recognizable than mine. But I said that I was willing to fight, and he said, 'If you're willing to fight for it, then I might be able to help you.' And so he did."
Ackles continued, "I had to put myself on tape, this was during peak COVID, so I didn't really have help in doing so. I had to pre-record the other person's lines, which happened to be Butcher. So I had to do my best Butcher impression and then I would play those lines back and finally, I would give the Soldier Boy performance. Luckily, I had Kripke coaching me and he was able to put the best tape forward that I could muster. He sent it up the ladder, got all the checkmarks, and that’s how it happened. But I fought for it, man. I fought for it pretty hard."
A New Generation of Supes
Soldier Boy was introduced in The Boys' third season as Vought International's first superhero, an icon of patriotism and eventually an adversary to both the Boys and Vought's current heroes. The season ended in Soldier Boy's defeat, leaving him in suspended animation under the watchful eye of former CIA-agent Grace Mallory (Laila Robins). While it's unknown if the character will return for The Boys' fourth season, Ackles has suggested fans haven't seen the last of him. "There's some things out there," he said. "I'm not allowed to give anything out, but we'll just say that Soldier Boy is not dead. Thank God."
Ackles has already confirmed that Soldier Boy will "[pop] up for a brief moment" in The Boys' spin-off series Gen V, along with other "cameos from the mothership." The show will follow the next generation of supes as they learn how to save the world at the Godolkin University School of Crimefighting. Other The Boys characters confirmed to appear include Vought CEO Ashley Barrett (Colby Minifie), film director Adam Bourke (P.J. Byrne) and A-Train of the Seven (Jessie T. Usher). Gen V is set to release in fall 2023.
Season 4 of The Boys doesn't yet have a release date.
Source: Discussing Film