Actors face many obstacles when playing classic TV superheroes because the genre constantly changes. In this case, Jensen Ackles became famous for playing Dean Winchester on the hit TV show Supernatural. Ackles was cast as the eponymous Soldier Boy in the third season of The Boys, a hit show on Amazon Prime Video.
However, he encountered some unanticipated difficulties along the way. Despite his extensive preparation and physical training for the role, Ackles was publicly humiliated by Antony Starr, who plays the villainous Homelander.
Jensen Ackles’ Physical Transformation: Becoming Soldier Boy
Jensen Ackles, renowned for his magnetic personality and impressive fitness, underwent a radical transformation to assume the role of the legendary Soldier Boy. He realized the importance of his character’s physicality and dedicated himself to a rigorous exercise routine.
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Ackles spent six better months training to the max, putting in countless hours of weightlifting, conditioning drills, and a rigid diet. The actor worked hard to get into character, which required him to have a superhuman physique and imposing presence.
Jensen Ackles knew he had to do more than change his appearance to embody Soldier Boy fully. He had even gone so far as to put himself in the head and heart of the character to prepare fully. Ackles read the books and delved into Soldier Boy’s complicated history to better understand the character’s struggles, motivations, and inner conflicts.
The actor’s thorough mental and emotional preparation helped him fully inhabit the character of Soldier Boy during his performance. The more time passed, the more excited people became to see Jensen Ackles in his role as Soldier Boy.
Anthony Starr’s Unexpected Comment
Fans of The Boys were hopeful that Ackles could do justice to the role by capturing the character’s spirit. Fans had high hopes for Ackles, and he was under pressure to live up to those hopes and leave his unique mark on the show. As he started a new career phase, all eyes were on him.
After months of rigorous training and mental preparation, Ackles was met with a surprise when he arrived on set. The actor Antony Starr, who played the sick and evil Homelander, greeted Ackles with a remark that would break his spirit.
Starr commented sarcastically that adding muscles to the suit would have been enough to justify Ackles’ decision to undergo a physical transformation. Ackles felt deflated and humiliated by the well-meaning joke as if his efforts had been for nothing.
“I was told to beef up, and so I worked out like a madman. The physical preparation was something that I’ve never done before. But I think it helped me get there mentally. I get to set and Anthony’s like, Why didn’t you just tell him to add muscles to the suit, bro? And it just deflated me. Just crushed me. All that effort and it was for really nothing.”
For Jensen Ackles, playing the role of Soldier Boy in The Boys was an unrelenting pursuit of perfection. However, the unexpected humiliation he endured on set broke his spirit and caused him to doubt the usefulness of his tireless efforts.
The Boys is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video
Source: Entertainment Weekly
