If you thought the modern-day antics of Homelander and company were unhinged, it is time to brace yourself for a history lesson. Prime Video has officially given us our first look at Vought Rising, the upcoming prequel series spun from the wildly successful, Emmy-winning universe of The Boys.
For those who have been tracking the expansion of this television universe, the announcement is a welcome addition. The franchise has already successfully branched out with the university-focused Gen V and the animated anthology The Boys Presents: Diabolical. However, Vought Rising promises to take us back to where the corporate rot actually started: New York City in the 1950s.
A Diabolical Origin Story
The newly released teaser offers a glimpse into a post-World War II era that is anything but peaceful. Instead of corporate boardrooms and smartphone apps, this series plunges into the mid-20th century to explore the early, twisted foundations of Vought International.
We already know from the flagship series that Vought’s origins are steeped in wartime experimentation, Nazi scientists, and a heavy dose of corporate propaganda. Vought Rising aims to show exactly how a pharmaceutical startup managed to commodify superheroes and weave itself into the fabric of global politics.
Familiar Faces in a Bygone Era
The big drawcard for the new series is the return of two fan-favourite antagonists. Jensen Ackles is back as Soldier Boy, the shield-wielding, hyper-masculine super-soldier who spent decades on ice. Joining him is Aya Cash as Stormfront, though in this era, she will likely be operating under her original moniker, Liberty.
Both Ackles and Cash are pulling double duty on this project, serving as executive producers alongside their starring roles. The dynamic between their two characters (both deeply flawed, dangerous, and products of a bygone era) is bound to be a focal point of the narrative.
The ensemble cast also introduces fresh faces Mason Dye, Will Hochman, KiKi Layne, Jorden Myrie, Nicolo Pasetti, Elizabeth Posey, Ricky Staffieri, and Brian J. Smith. While their character details remain under wraps, they will be navigating a world steered by showrunner Paul Grellong and franchise architect Eric Kripke.
What to Expect
While the teaser gives away few specific plot points, the aesthetic alone is enough to pique interest. It combines the sleek, retro-futuristic style of the 1950s with the signature grit and cynicism audiences expect from the franchise.
Do not expect a wholesome, black-and-white period drama. If its predecessors are anything to go by, Vought Rising will treat the mid-century golden age with the same irreverence and subversive satire that made The Boys a global phenomenon.
The series is currently being produced by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios. Unfortunately, fans will have to exercise some patience, as the prequel is not scheduled to hit screens until 2027. When it does, it will stream exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories. Until then, we have plenty of time to dissect every frame of the teaser and speculate on how the corporate empire was built.
