Jensen Ackles explains how his upcoming role as Soldier Boy in The Boys Season 3 examines the cost of toxic masculinity.
In an interview with SFX Magazine, Ackles remarked how his character helps to create a dialogue around the idea of toxic masculinity. "The other thing I would say is Soldier Boy really lends himself to an interesting discussion of toxic masculinity," he said. "So often, power means fronting as this macho illusion that never existed. Especially in the States, we put so much stock in this Western cowboy, John Wayne, Marlboro Man myth. It's such bullshit. It's raised generation after generation of fucked-up men, who can't live up to it."
Ackles continued, "It's been interesting to explore that through Soldier Boy. What is that notion of power that men are supposed to carry, but has done as much damage to our society as anything else?" Though the character has been referenced in the Prime Video series previously, Season 3 marks the first on-screen appearance of Ackles' Soldier Boy, The Boys' analog for Marvel's Captain America.
It was announced in August 2020 that Ackles would be joining the third season of The Boys as Soldier Boy, the first superhero manufactured by Vought International. In a previous interview, Ackles described his character as "a grandpa," saying, "He's from the '40s. He fought in World War II, and he's just this curmudgeon, bigoted asshole. He doesn't age, so he's this 40-year-old superhero who's really 80 years old or 90 years old."
Based on the 2006 comic book of the same name by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, The Boys premiered on Prime Video in 2019. The series follows the exploits of the eponymous team of vigilantes as they attempt to disrupt the efforts of their world's foremost superhero team, The Seven, most of whom are more cruel and callous than any of the supposedly villainous threats they have faced. Apart from The Seven, the series also sees the titular antiheroes working against Vought International, the sprawling corporation which produces and sponsors superheroes for their own benefit.
Ackles' Soldier Boy is slated to play a central role in Season 3 of The Boys, with his character already having received multiple retro appearances across the series' marketing material. Ackles has also commented on his character's reaction to the world he is stepping into, especially regarding Antony Starr's Homelander, the series' main antagonist and Superman stand-in. "It's just looking at the world around him, knowing he doesn't fit in and knowing things are different," Ackles said of Soldier Boy's response. "And there it is, personified in this statuesque red, white and blue superhero."
The Boys Season 3 premieres on Prime Video on June 3.
Source: SFX Magazine