Erik Kripke seems to be having his own little Infinity War moment while making The Boys. However, instead of collecting Infinity Gems, the writer seems to be collecting Winchesters to put in his new show. Jensen Ackles wowed fans as the troubled but competent Soldier Boy in Season 3, and Season 4 saw Jeffery Dean Morgan pick the role of Billy Butcher’s old friend Kessler.
Now, Jared Padalecki has also signed on with Eric Kripke for Season 5 of The Boys, and it remains to be seen who the actor will play in the show. Given that, a lot of characters have changed from the comics to the show, such as Victor “Vic the Veep” Neuman being reimagined as Victoria Nueman, played to perfection by Claudia Doumit. However, there are still some characters yet to make an appearance in the show, and it seems Eric Kripke has already talked about a few characters with the actor.
Jared Padalecki is very excited to possibly be part of The Boys
Jared Padalecki spoke to Deadline about his gig with Eric Kripke, as the actor heads toward the final season of The Boys. While the actor might not cross paths with Supernatural alum Jeffery Dean Morgan, the actor will definitely be sharing the screen with his on-screen brother Jensen Ackles, who will feature heavily in the season. Regarding his part, Padalecki said:
The answer is yes. We have talked [about a role]. As a matter of fact, we talked today. I think at this point in my acting life, I only want to work on projects that I really care about or with people that I really care about, and obviously, Eric and I are indelibly connected forever.
The adaptation of The Boys has changed and twisted a lot of characters to suit the plot and might do so again going into Season 5. Now, given that all the principal characters of the story are in play, one can only assume that Season 5 might elevate a minor character to the main cast for Padalecki to play. There are a few characters that come to mind.
SwingWing
SwingWing sort of made his debut in The Boys but was never named as such. The sidekick that Tek Knight had latched up in his dungeon could have been SwingWing, but it was not named so. Owing to that, SwingWing could make his debut as a Tek Knight replacement in The Boys Season 5, played by Jared Padalecki.
SwingWing served as a pro-LGBTQ+ activist character for Vought International, who frequented support groups and shelters for LGBTQ youths. In reality, the character was a huge homophobe and killed a boy for confessing his love to him. The character also has a cameo in The Boys, where he appears on the list of heroes that can be used for riot control in the wake of Singer’s arrest.
Blarney Cock
Blarney Cock is a character that a lot of fans have been wanting to see in the show. A part of the same team as Pop-Claw from Season 1, Teenage Kix, the character is secretly the bastard child of The Legend and Queen Maeve. However, this storyline could be altered for the character, so that he could be made older and more suitable for Jared Padalecki to play.
Given that Soldeir Boy will be returning for Season 5, and the show is not above introducing some new characters in its final season, perhaps Barney Cock could be a bastard son of Soldeir Boy instead? After all, the character did get around a lot and would be remiss if he did not accidently sire one or two kids that he (and Vought) are unaware of.
Mister Marathon
Homelander took A-Train’s betrayal pretty hard. However, the Seven might find itself at a disadvantage without a speedster among their ranks. mister Marathon has been mentioned as being part of the team multiple times, before being replaced by A-Train.
While it is unknown why the character was dismissed, he could make a return, as he has never been seen on screen before. Jared Padalecki could essay the role of the character to perfection, while also giving Jesse T. Usher’s character a character to keep occupied to even the odds for The Seven.
Groundhawk
The “X-Men” side of The Boys has been largely absent from the show. the G-Men and other mutants have been wholly absent from Kripke’s adaptation. The closest that we have come to seeing anything resembling the X-Men is God U, with John Godolkin making an appearance.
Groundhawk is this universe’s version of Wolverine. Jared Padalecki, standing at 6 ft 3in, could poke fun at Marvel casting Hugh Jackman for Wolverine, as Groundhawk fits the same archetype of a short man with a short temper in the comics. He is a member of the G-Men, who are yet to make their appearance in Eric Kripke’s adaptation of the show.
Five-Oh
The leader of the G-Men, and The Boys‘ version of Cyclops, Five-Oh might be the perfect character for Padalecki. The character, in many ways, is more twisted than Homelander in the comics. The character could make an appearance in Gen V Season 2, before appearing in the final season of The Boys.
In the comics, Five-Oh, like the rest of the G-Men, is unwaveringly loyal to John Godolkin, being brainwashed to do his bidding without a question. Perhaps instead of Goldolki, Jared Padalecki could play the character as being loyal to Sage, who definitely has some things cooking that Homelander does not know about.
Having a team of Supes loyal to her could be a nice way to introduce the G-Men, and have them serve a third faction along with The Seven and the Boys.
All Episodes of The Boys Season 4 are streaming on Prime Video.
Gen V Season 2 begins streaming in 2025.
The Boys Season 5 is set to begin streaming in 2026.
