Unforgettable Supernatural Star Cast for Shocking and Gruesome Role: Exclusive Insights by EP

Warning: The article contains spoilers for Gen V. The article also contains a brief discussion about sexual assault.

Summary

Supernatural alumnus, Alexander Calvert, embraces a disturbing and disdainful character in The Boys universe, showcasing a shocking twist as his character's male organ detonates, defying all expectations set by his beloved Supernatural persona.

During the audition process, Calvert captivated the showrunners not only due to his previous affiliation with Supernatural, but primarily because of his remarkable talent and skill.

The selection of Calvert as the actor brought great joy to creator Eric Kripke, as he knew it would be a surprising and subversive role for fans of Supernatural.

Gen V's executive producer, Eric Kripke, elaborates on the decision to cast Alexander Calvert, a former Supernatural cast member, in a disturbing and unpleasant character. While Calvert is primarily recognized for his portrayal of Jack Kline, who eventually becomes a godly figure in Supernatural, his recent television appearance showcases him as the detestable God U student Rufus. In a shocking turn of events in episode 4 of Gen V, Rufus suffers the grotesque fate of his penis exploding when he attempts to exploit and assault Marie (Jaz Sinclair), an incident that is darkly embraced by the delightfully gory Boys universe as a "cockplosion."

During a TVLine interview, Eric Kripke, the creator of Supernatural, discussed Rufus' incident and Alex Calvert's casting. Kripke acknowledged the contribution of Gen V co-showrunners, Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters, mentioning that Calvert became a part of Supernatural well after Kripke's tenure as showrunner of the monster-hunting drama. Furthermore, there was a conversation about Calvert's involvement in The Boys spinoff.

ERIC KRIPKE | I attribute all the credit to [co-showrunners] Michele [Fazekas] and Tara [Butters] because not only do I admire Alex's talent, but he also joined the show after my departure.

MICHELE FAZEKAS | He auditioned. The script was first.

KRIPKE | Yeah, he auditioned, and Michele and Tara put him in front of the rest of the executive producers, like, “We love this guy.”

FAZEKAS | Not because he was from Supernatural, but because of his exceptional talent. His performance was so impressive that we all thought, "This is a character we want to see more of."

KRIPKE | Absolutely. When I saw his name, I was genuinely thrilled. I instantly knew that casting Alex would be incredible. His audition was simply awe-inspiring, and he effortlessly secured the role.

TVLINE | When Alex won the role and entered the room, did you feel a sense of joy, Eric, knowing that you would be able to completely defy the expectations of Supernatural fans with his character?

KRIPKE | It definitely crossed my mind. Seeing him portray a complete MAGA jerk, considering how lovable his character is in Supernatural, and then having his fate be a graphic explosion, it was always an entertaining twist for the Supernatural fans.

Gen V's Characters Are More Likable Than The Boys — Aside From Rufus

Unlike The Boys, Gen V takes a different approach by creating likable characters, even in the midst of gruesome deaths. It defies expectations by highlighting the complexity of popular and stereotypical characters, such as the popular girl and the handsome jock. In the third episode, these characters set aside their differences and unite to uncover the illicit activities happening at God U, driven by a desire to bring justice.

In contrast, The Boys struggles to move past their personal conflicts even after three seasons. Gen V succeeds in expanding its narrative by presenting a raunchy and violent teenage drama with superheroes. By reducing the stakes and creating a more familiar setting, The Boys manages to broaden its horizons while retaining its unique essence.

Calvert's portrayal of Rufus in The Boys is undeniably repulsive. However, in the fifth generation of the series, Rufus stands out as an anomaly. Despite their imperfections and self-interest, the main protagonists manage to evade the cynicism that often alienates viewers from older characters like Butcher. This crucial distinction has undoubtedly contributed to the spinoff's favorable reception among critics.