Jensen Ackles has officially confirmed on Instagram that Soldier Boy is back — and in true The Boys fashion, he couldn’t resist teasing fans with a cheeky caption: “Soldier Boy’s back. And this time… you better hide your great-grandmothers.” Alongside the witty post came a new image from Vought Rising, the highly anticipated prequel series set in the 1950s.

This spin-off aims to dive deep into the origins of Vought International and its signature creation, Compound V. Ackles is reprising his role as Soldier Boy, but this time, audiences will see a very different side of the supe who once dominated the superhero world with his swagger and brutality.

A Younger Soldier Boy Without Swagger
Speaking with Variety, Ackles explained that Soldier Boy in Vought Rising is not the same confident and arrogant figure audiences met in The Boys.

In fact, when the story picks up in the 1950s, Soldier Boy is still far from being the world’s most famous supe.

Ackles admitted that this earlier version lacks the “swagger and gravitas” that defined the character decades later. Instead, audiences will see a man still finding his place, unsure of himself, and untested in the ways that ultimately hardened him. He clarified, however, that this doesn’t mean fans won’t recognize the tough guy beneath the surface — it’s more about peeling back the layers to reveal who he was before decades of dominance shaped his persona.

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Exploring the Origins of Vought and Compound V
The prequel also promises to give fans a closer look at how Vought International rose to power and how Compound V reshaped society. By exploring the company’s early years, Vought Rising sets the stage for the corruption, manipulation, and exploitation that fans of The Boys know all too well.

It’s here that Soldier Boy begins his transformation — not into a hero, but into the corporate weapon who would later embody everything wrong with the supe system. Ackles emphasized that while his character will eventually grow into the arrogant and dangerous figure audiences despise, Vought Rising allows him to play with the “early version” of Soldier Boy, one who is still forming his identity, relationships, and strategies.

It’s here that Soldier Boy begins his transformation — not into a hero, but into the corporate weapon who would later embody everything wrong with the supe system. Ackles emphasized that while his character will eventually grow into the arrogant and dangerous figure audiences despise, Vought Rising allows him to play with the “early version” of Soldier Boy, one who is still forming his identity, relationships, and strategies.

Familiar Faces in a New Setting
Ackles won’t be alone in this journey back in time. Aya Cash is also returning as Stormfront, reprising the role she made infamous in seasons 2 and 3 of The Boys. Yet the dynamic between the two actors feels fresh. Ackles noted how strange it is to step back into a character’s shoes in a completely different show with a brand-new cast.

Cash compared the experience to “coming home, but realizing you’ve sold the house and a new family lives there.

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” The faces may be different, but the essence of the characters remains. Both actors acknowledged the challenges of finding their footing in a show that feels both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.
What This Means for Soldier Boy’s Arc
For fans, Ackles’ comments suggest a more layered exploration of Soldier Boy’s history. Instead of immediately presenting him as the arrogant supe audiences love to hate, Vought Rising will reveal the struggles and insecurities that shaped him.

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This does not necessarily make him sympathetic — as Ackles himself pointed out, the ruthless streak is always there — but it offers valuable context for how he became Vought’s “top dog.”
Importantly, this approach could reframe how viewers interpret his role in The Boys. By seeing the earlier, less polished Soldier Boy, fans may gain new insights into his later arrogance, bigotry, and cruelty.

It is a reminder that villains are not born overnight; they are molded by power, ego, and the systems that enable them.

A Fascinating Contrast With The Boys Season 5
With season 5 of The Boys already filmed and set to release before Vought Rising, audiences will get a rare opportunity: to watch Soldier Boy’s modern-day exploits and then contrast them with his 1950s origins. The juxtaposition will highlight just how far he has come — or fallen — and provide a deeper understanding of one of the franchise’s most divisive characters.

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Final Thoughts
Soldier Boy has always been both entertaining and detestable. Whether mocking his arrogance or recoiling at his cruelty, audiences cannot deny the impact he brings to The Boys universe. With Vought Rising, Jensen Ackles gets the chance to peel back the curtain and show us the makings of a supe who was never meant to be a hero.

The prequel promises to add nuance, context, and maybe even a few surprises. But one thing is certain: Soldier Boy is back, and no one — not even your grandmother — is safe.