Unfathomable Gen V Tragedy Shatters Hopes of Homelander's Replacement

Warning: spoilers ahead for Gen V episode 1.

Summary

The significant death in Gen V episode 1 eliminates any possibility of him taking over Homelander's position as the franchise's top superhero.

Homelander's status as the most dominant individual on Earth remains unthreatened without any apparent rival in season 4 of The Boys.

Though Ryan Butcher, Homelander's son, shows promise as a potential successor, his youth and lack of experience prevent him from taking on his father's mantle in the present timeline.

The possibility of The Boys replacing Homelander as the leading superhuman in the franchise was briefly considered, but a significant death in Gen V makes it highly unlikely. Among the numerous supes injected with Compound V that exist in Amazon's The Boys universe, Antony Starr's Homelander stands out as the most formidable. Unlike other supes, Homelander was intentionally created in a Vought laboratory, granting him inherent superiority. Beyond his immense strength, his overwhelming patriotism and affable demeanor have solidified his status as the most influential and famous individual on Earth.

Gen V Teased Golden Boy As A Future Homelander Replacement

However, with the continuous rise in controversies and the increasing number of enemies, Homelander's popularity has significantly diminished over the course of The Boys' three seasons. Doubts have even been raised regarding his invulnerability, especially after his encounters with formidable opponents like Soldier Boy and Queen Maeve. This has sparked speculation about the possibility of finding a suitable replacement for Homelander. The task of filling this position would demand not only an immensely powerful supe but also an individual with widespread public appeal and influence within Vought. The cast of Gen V initially seemed to introduce the perfect candidate for this role. Unfortunately, they fell short of expectations.

Patrick Schwarzenegger's Golden Boy was marketed as a potential replacement for The Boys' Homelander, both within the story and in Gen V's promotional campaign. The spinoff highlighted Golden Boy's luminous eyes, attractive appearance, and quintessential American values, instantly positioning him as the Homecoming King of Godolkin University in contrast to Vought's Homelander. Even the name "Golden Boy" was chosen to exemplify the character's universally appealing nature. In episode 1 of Gen V, the illusion continued as Golden Boy was confirmed as the university's highest-ranked student and it was revealed that Coach Brink had already secured his place in the Seven.

Supposedly destined for the very top, with A-Train and The Deep, the disgraced duo, being the only potential rivals, Golden Boy was primed to snatch Homelander's spot sooner rather than later. Being a non-serial killer, Golden Boy would inevitably have won over the public's hearts and overshadowed Homelander in no time. With a body that resembled flames, Golden Boy might have even been able to match Homelander in battle. Despite his physical weakness, his fiery aura could have countered Homelander's scorching laser eyes.

Golden Boy's Death In Gen V Means The Boys Won't Replace Homelander Now

Golden Boy's demise in the first episode of Gen V shatters any hope of finding a suitable replacement for Homelander among The Boys. His brutal death scatters fragments of his body across Godolkin University's campus, marking the tragic end of his superhero career. Golden Boy, a rare supe who possesses all the necessary qualities to be a contender for Homelander's throne, leaves a void in the franchise. With his absence, Homelander can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that his position as leader of the Seven is secure for the foreseeable future.

With the departure of Golden Boy, Homelander now reigns supreme without any obvious challengers in The Boys season 4. Soldier Boy may still be alive, but his reputation has been tarnished. Queen Maeve is mistakenly believed to be deceased. Any promising up-and-comers within Vought's ranks are compelled to submit to Homelander's authority or face the same fate as Supersonic. The sole potential successor to Homelander in season 4 appears to be Starlight, who showcased enhanced powers at the conclusion of The Boys season 3. However, Starlight has severed ties with Vought and is currently engaged in a fierce ideological battle against Homelander. This conflict presents numerous hurdles for Starlight to overcome before she can lay claim to the coveted title of Earth's number one supe.

1 The Boys Character Can Still Replace Homelander (But Not Yet)

A direct replacement for Homelander has been established in The Boys, although with a significant twist. Ryan Butcher, Homelander's own son, possesses all of his father's extraordinary abilities. The fact that Ryan's laser eyes were able to slice through Stormfront, despite her earlier assurance to Homelander that his beams couldn't harm her, suggests that the boy has the potential to surpass his father. Raised by his compassionate mother, Ryan also possesses a strong sense of morality and a human perspective, making him the ideal candidate to fill the role of Homelander, not only from an ethical standpoint but also as a leader of The Seven who could put an end to Vought's controversies and foster a genuine and trusting relationship between superheroes and the wider world.

Ryan Butcher, unfortunately, has homework to complete before anything else. Despite waiting for puberty to come, Ryan is far from becoming a true superhero and remains incredibly inexperienced due to living in isolation with his mother for many years. While Gen V's Golden Boy, a college student, was the prime candidate to take over Homelander's role as the prominent figure of Vought and the world's protector, it will take around 10 more years for Ryan to reach that point. Therefore, it seems improbable that Ryan will replace Homelander in The Boys' timeline. Catch the next episode of Gen V on Friday, exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.