Although Soldier Boy and Homelander spent the majority of their time together fighting, The Boys just made a team-up between the two supes much more likely in season 5. After an incredibly popular performance by Jensen Ackles, The Boys teased Soldier Boy’s return in the season 4 finale, with Eric Kripke confirming he will be a regular in the final installment. Despite being a brutal and selfish villain, audiences loved Soldier Boy, and he became one of the show’s best characters. As a result, he has been given a central role in The Boys‘ upcoming prequel, Vought Rising.
While Soldier Boy’s future looks bright in the franchise, his involvement in season 5 is by far the most exciting announcement regarding the antagonist. Alongside confirming his status as a regular in season 5, Eric Kripke also revealed the reasons for Soldier Boy’s return, and it makes an alliance with Homelander more likely than ever. Despite the duo sharing many sinister traits, they never quite managed to get on the same page in season 3, but with Soldier Boy’s season 5 motivation aligning with the show’s main antagonist, he may join Homelander’s supe army and create even more chaos.
The Boys Season 5 Needs To Explore Homelander & Soldier Boy’s Father-Son Dynamic In More Depth
Homelander & Soldier Boy Didn’t Spend Enough Time Exploring Their Relationship In Season 3
Exploring the father-son dynamic between Homelander and his dad is the easiest way to make a team-up happen, and Krikpe claimed this was a big reason behind Soldier Boy’s return. In an interview with Games Radar, Kripke mentioned that The Boys hadn’t explored this relationship in enough depth before stating, “There’s a lot of material there, how Soldier Boy feels about Homelander, how Homelander feels about his dad, and so we wanted to dig into that relationship.” The creator’s quote suggests that their familial bond will be a big part of season 5, meaning they may fight alongside one another.
Season 3 previously uncovered significant aspects of Soldier Boy’s backstory in The Boys – some of which the character himself didn’t even know. Out of all these revelations, Homelander being his son was easily the biggest bombshell and looked like it would bring the two together; however, Soldier Boy didn’t seem too interested in connecting with his remaining family. He told Homelander that he was a disappointment, but his opinion may change in season 5 now that Homelander has essentially taken over the United States.
The Boys Season 4 Official Trailer (Trailer)
In addition, Homelander looks like he will be the one to free Soldier Boy from his coma, which could earn his respect. Given they are two of the biggest villains in the franchise, giving them more screen time together and highlighting their father-son relationship sounds like a great idea, and with Kripke suggesting this will happen in season 5, a team-up is very much on the cards.
Soldier Boy & Homelander Both Want Revenge On Billy Butcher
Killing Butcher Will Be Among Homelander & Soldier Boy’s Main Priorities In Season 5
Even if their family ties aren’t enough to bring them together, Homelander and Soldier Boy’s hatred for Butcher could be enough for them to coexist. Although Homelander may not be aware of Butcher’s powers in The Boys, Billy is still at the top of the villain’s most-wanted list alongside Starlight. Tracking Butcher down and delivering his idea of justice will be one of Homelander’s biggest motivations in season 5, and Soldier Boy’s goals appear to be similar. Having been betrayed by Butcher in season 3, the antagonist will be out for revenge, which Kripke has confirmed.
Even if their relationship remains unstable, deciding to team up will make them nearly unstoppable given they are two of the most powerful supes in The Boys universe.
The showrunner mentioned that “Soldier Boy is really driven to kill Butcher“ and that he will essentially be allying with the supes. Soldier Boy’s beef with Homelander stemmed from Butcher, meaning the two villains might be able to put their differences aside to take on a common enemy, and while this may not lead to a happy reunion between the father and son, it at least gives them motivation to work together. Even if their relationship remains unstable, deciding to team up will make them nearly unstoppable given they are two of the most powerful supes in The Boys universe.
Why Homelander & Soldier Boy’s Alliance May Not Last In Season 5
Their Egos Could Get In The Way Of Them Coexisting
Homelander and Soldier Boy may agree to some kind of alliance in The Boys season 5, but there is no guarantee that it will last. Both characters have huge egos that are likely to collide, leading to serious friction. Soldier Boy will see himself as superior to Homelander given he is his father and one of Vought’s original supes. Therefore, he may want to lead his son’s army and hunt down Butcher his own way, which Homelander won’t take kindly to. Despite seeking others’ approval, Homelander clearly feels he is the strongest being alive, hence why he wants complete control.
Although he has been open to Sister Sage’s help, The Seven and his new army will be expected to fall in line as Homelander now refuses to take orders from anyone else. Soldier Boy also doesn’t play well in a team as his history with Payback proved, as well as his short stint helping Butcher and Hughie. Both characters are way too egotistical and arrogant to treat each other as equals for long, making a fallout seem inevitable, and their differing methods and ideologies mean their alliance probably won’t last in The Boys season 5.
