Warning: This article contains spoilers for Gen V Episode 6.
A new trailer for Gen V has dropped, teasing the return of a fan-favourite The Boys character in Episode 6, titled "Jumanji", which will premiere on Prime Video on October 20.
The official Gen V account on X posted a brief warning to "hide your grandmas" alongside a video that features an appearance from Jensen Ackles' Soldier Boy. He stares down the camera with a smirk on his face as he announces: "Surprise, motherf**kers," revealing he will make a cameo in the next episode.
This Friday, hide your grandmas!!! pic.twitter.com/xBJ07Emstg
— GEN V (@genv) October 15, 2023
Fans last saw Soldier Boy during the Season 3 finale of The Boys, which ended with a climactic battle that left the Captain America-esque hero in cryogenic stasis while in the custody of the U.S. government. His closing moments sparked a few burning questions about his future, so people are very excited about his comeback.
Ackles turned in another compelling performance as Soldier Boy in Season 3, so it was hard to imagine the beloved character would be left to waste away in a military bunker when we could have more of his awful shenanigans. However, his appearance in Gen V marks a quicker return than some fans expected.
That smirk at the end ???? #acklesnation #JensenAckles #soldierboy pic.twitter.com/3NQsw0GyVo
— Stacey morgan (@smorgan1378) October 15, 2023
JENSEN ACKLES AS SOLDIER BOY AGAIN!!!!! pic.twitter.com/yVsMj0z7A8
— anna (@beauxarlen) October 13, 2023
#SoldierBoy is back ?
— n̲i̲l̲ ?? (@acklesdreamy) October 13, 2023
i missed my favourite superhero so much ??? pic.twitter.com/J62M3JKO3K
SOLDIER BOY NEXT EPISODE?!?! Im seated. https://t.co/9C5EzmROwy pic.twitter.com/Vf7JcMDgnT
— Anthony?but Spooky? (@Tohneee) October 15, 2023
People immediately started speculating about the upcoming Soldier Boy cameo in Gen V and whether it means the character has managed to escape captivity or whether it could be a flashback sequence. Others thought Ackles could be putting in a "fake-out" shapeshifter-style appearance, or it could be a hallucination.
I'm so hyped for the next episode of Gen V! Soldier Boy was in the preview, but I'm not sure if it's a flashback, a reference, or if he's actually in the show. I hope it's the last one! #GenV #SoldierBoy #CantWaitpic.twitter.com/Ger1kRKXpy
— On Screen? (@on_scn) October 16, 2023
Soldier Boy in next week's teaser!! Flashback or have they managed to figure out how to control him when they need to use him? #GenV
— Warrior of Night (@96Nighthawk) October 14, 2023
My theory about Soldier Boy's cameo is that he is a hallucination that essentially welcomes Marie, Jordan & Andre there in the forest. The 3 are travelling maybe in memories or some weird fake places to figure out some information or truth about woods. pic.twitter.com/MBMht6m7PG
— Reet (@jensencineu) October 14, 2023
Soldier Boy was also a hot topic over on Reddit. "That's definitely the shapeshifter guy or just an hallucination," one user wrote. "My guess is it's a hallucination from Sam. I can imagine he grew up on old movies from Soldier Boy's era, plus SB seemed very friendly and like he knew the person he was addressing," another added.
The first five episodes of Gen V are currently available, with new episodes dropping weekly on Prime Video through November 3. IGN's review of Episode 5 called it a "great" chapter that "drives Gen V's ongoing story like a dagger to the heart by dealing with heavy topics in lieu of rampant action-forward hilarity".
Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on X @AdeleAnkers.
