The Boys' Antony Starr Reveals Shocking Truth About Homelander's Fanbase

Antony Starr, known for his portrayal of the psychopathic supe Homelander on The Boys, is amazed to discover that there are fans of the show who genuinely support the leader of The Seven, despite his clearly defined role as the antagonist.

Homelander, although portrayed as a villain, evokes sympathy due to his tragic backstory. He was subjected to being Vought's experimental subject throughout his childhood, denying him the opportunity to lead a normal life. However, this does not change the fact that he is a monstrous individual with childlike traits, determined to fulfill his desires by exploiting his god-like powers. Given these characteristics, Starr is perplexed by the loyalty The Boys fans have towards Homelander.

Speaking to The LA Times, Starr shared his thoughts on the genuine support that fans have for Homelander. "There has been a peculiar phenomenon surrounding the character, despite his evident villainous nature," Starr expressed. He went on to suggest that Homelander represents the worst-case scenario for Superman. "Many individuals have latched onto him. There exists a peculiar faction out there who actually idolize him. I've come across some perplexing posts on Twitter and thought, 'Hold on, what? You completely missed the point!'" Starr additionally mentioned that showrunner Eric Kripke views Homelander as a depiction of Donald Trump. "I completely understand what Eric means, and [the scene where Homelander kills a protester in front of a crowd] was his equivalent of the 'Fifth Avenue' moment, unquestionably."

Just like Trump, Homelander will face trial for his actions which may lead to his conviction. He brutally killed a supporter of Starlight without hesitation, merely for throwing an object at his son. The true consequence of his crime is that Homelander realized he could freely eliminate anyone and still have devoted followers who would worship him unconditionally. He no longer needs to conceal his true nature, escalating an already dire situation.

In spite of possessing the same powers as Superman, Homelander's story serves as a grim reminder of the depths to which an individual can sink when denied a normal upbringing and constantly indulged in getting whatever they desire, regardless of the harm caused to others due to their immense power. One can only speculate how Homelander's life would have unfolded had he been given the nurturing childhood he deserved.

The Evil Superman trope has been extensively explored in recent years, with examples in popular media such as the video game Injustice and Invincible's Omni Man. However, The Boys distinguishes itself by portraying Homelander as the ultimate trump card and a ticking time bomb. As the seasons progress, Homelander becomes increasingly indifferent to his public image and more focused on achieving Supe Supremacy. With his opponents coming close to overpowering him in the previous season and his discovery of his biological father's identity, Homelander's priorities are shifting and it's likely that more lives will be lost at his hands. It's not a question of if he will snap, but when.

Stream The Boys seasons 1-3 on Amazon Prime.

Source: The LA Times