Antony Starr reacts to fans glorifying Homelander in The Boys, calls it 'surreal'
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Starr revealed he and the cast had to push back on social media after noticing that fans were idolizing the ultra-violent and authoritarian supe. 'We had a bunch of guys that we all kind of knocked down a little bit on social media to say, 'This guy is not the hero of any story.' They were really glorifying him — they loved him, which was surreal,' he said.
Starr admitted he didn't expect fans to feel conflicted about the character, adding, 'What I didn't expect was that people would be so conflicted around it and, you know, finding themselves feeling empathy for this monster.'
His remarks echo those of The Boys showrunner Eric Kripke, who addressed similar reactions ahead of Season 4. Kripke responded to claims the show had become 'woke' and fans viewing Homelander as a hero. 'Anyone who wants to call the show 'woke' or whatever, that's OK. Go watch something else,' Kripke said. 'The show's many things. Subtle isn't one of them. So if that's the message you're getting from it, I just throw up my hands.'
Kripke also confirmed that Homelander was designed as a metaphor for authoritarian figures, notably former U.S. President Donald Trump. 'Suddenly, we were telling a story about the intersection of celebrity and authoritarianism and how social media and entertainment are used to sell fascism.'
The Boys is currently filming its fifth and final season, which will wrap up the Prime Video hit series.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
13 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Elba, Cena clash as world leaders in 'Heads of State'
Actors John Cena and Idris Elba embark on a wild friendship journey in the comedy action adventure Heads of State, reported Reuters. The Prime Video film imagines Cena, 48, as a Hollywood action hero turned US President Will Derringer and Elba, 52, as army veteran and cranky UK Prime Minister Sam Clarke. The two "have a not-so-friendly and very public rivalry that jeopardises their countries' 'special relationship,' " a synopsis reads. "But when they become the targets of a powerful and ruthless foreign adversary — who proves more than a match for the two leaders' security forces — they are begrudgingly forced to rely on the only two people they can trust: each other." Cena and Elba, who also executive produced the movie, previously worked together on the 2021 superhero film The Suicide Squad. "Honestly, our time on screen is effortless. He brings the best out of me and, in his words, I try to do my best to provide an environment where he can shine," Cena said at the film's London premiere on Tuesday. "I love the friendship nature of this film," he added. The film is directed by Russian filmmaker and musician Ilya Naishuller, who said Cena and Elba brought a realness to their roles. "They feed off each other as any good couple would, and they know how to argue together in such a way where this is the perfect combination of the American happy-go-lucky, optimistic president and the prime minister who is real about the job and how difficult it is," Naishuller said, adding he set out to make a summer blockbuster in the vein of the buddy action comedies of the 1980s and '90s. "The goal was, I want to do an hour and 45 of the highest quality entertainment I can do and just do a crowd-pleaser and make sure that the people sitting at home on July the 4th are going to be united and having a great time," he said. Heads of State also stars Priyanka Chopra Jonas in the role of the pun-loving top MI6 agent Noel Bisset. "It was really different, because it was a comedy. Most of the action I've done has been in drama and thrillers," Chopra Jonas said. "I love my puns," she added. "I mean, listen, I love a good pun. You've got to be smart to be punny." Heads of State started streaming on Prime Video on July 2.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Adrian Grenier exits Devil Wears Prada sequel, won't reprise Nate role
Adrian Grenier will not reprise his role as Nate Cooper in the upcoming sequel to The Devil Wears Prada, Entertainment Weekly has confirmed with two sources familiar with the production. The sequel to the 2006 hit film is currently in production and set for release in 2026. While original cast members Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci are expected to return, Grenier's character — long debated by fans as the 'real villain' for his unsupportive behavior toward Hathaway's Andy Sachs — will not appear in the sequel. The original film, directed by David Frankel and based on Lauren Weisberger's bestselling novel, followed Andy Sachs as she navigated the world of high fashion journalism under the leadership of the fearsome Miranda Priestly. The story culminates in Andy and Nate's strained relationship resolving just as she quits her demanding job and moves to Boston with him. Despite a long-standing debate about Nate's role in the story, Grenier previously acknowledged fan criticism, admitting in a 2021 EW interview that Nate's behavior was immature and selfish. However, sources say his character will not be part of the next chapter. Frankel and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna are both returning for the sequel. Plot details remain under wraps, but the production is set to continue through the summer. Entertainment Weekly reached out to representatives for Grenier and parent company Disney, but no official comment has been made at this time. The Devil Wears Prada 2 is slated for release in 2026.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Sofia Carson and Corey Mylchreest share a love story in My Oxford Year trailer
Netflix has officially unveiled the trailer for My Oxford Year, a coming-of-age drama based on Julia Whelan's bestselling novel. The film, which will be available on the streaming platform starting August 1, stars Sofia Carson and Corey Mylchreest as the leads. Directed by Iain Morris, the movie tells the story of Anna (Carson), a determined American woman who travels to Oxford University to fulfill a childhood dream. However, her plans take an unexpected turn when she meets Jamie (Mylchreest), a charming and clever local who changes both their lives. The trailer depicts the blossoming attraction between Anna and Jamie, leading to a brief but intense romance. While they bond over their shared love of poetry, their relationship faces complications as their feelings deepen. In one pivotal moment, Jamie tells Anna, 'Don't waste the short time you have left in Oxford on me,' hinting at hidden struggles. Anna, however, suspects that Jamie is keeping something from her, leading to emotional tension. The film also features a talented supporting cast, including Dougray Scott, Catherine McCormack, and Harry Trevaldwyn. The screenplay is written by Allison Burnett and Melissa Osborne, with Carson serving as an executive producer alongside Caroline Levy and others. My Oxford Year is already generating comparisons to Prime Video's Maxton Hall, a popular teen romance series. With Netflix's track record of adapting beloved novels, fans are eager to see how this heartfelt story will resonate upon its release in August. The film promises to be a poignant exploration of love, ambition, and self-discovery.
