The Boys' Antony Starr Answers the Internet's Best Questions

[00:00] and this is "The Wired Complete interview." [upbeat bass music] Anyone else find themselves

[00:15] And a video. That's actually interesting. and I hallucinate my father.

[00:28] That moment of me going [breathing heavily] a lot of memes have come out of this character in this show. and it just became, it went everywhere.

[00:42] What a great mannerism role model Homelander is. you should copy that that character does. [sighs] Wow.

[00:58] is in Season 5, which I can't spoil obviously. But up to then, two things with planes. in Episode 1, the last scene.

[01:13] and his father plunge to their demise. I think it was Season 1, was leaving a whole plane loaded of passengers to die.

[01:27] People bring up pushing the son off the roof. I think that's good parenting. See I just think that that's like old school fathering

[01:39] There's no blood. Get on with it. Plus he knew that the kid had superpowers, And I also thought the little squeal that Ryan,

[01:55] As he went off the roof? up to that point in the show. Fear of heights.

[02:07] Ah! I think the more you do something, the less afraid you get. Having said that, I've been flying a lot lately

[02:20] and I grabbed the little old lady next to me. And I thought I'd dealt with it, but I haven't.

[02:33] It was actually on "Gen V," the spinoff series. Stunt guy goes, These little like piano wire thin wires

[02:46] I never thought about, that's a long way off the ground. So, they clipped me and harnessed me about 40 feet up, which was halfway I started going, "Oh. This is not good."

[03:00] Ha ha. Fuck off. I think it was 85 feet at the top and I was freaking out. Enlightened me as to like,

[03:14] that I didn't realize I had. So, I say go into it. TheReasonSeeker asks,

[03:26] "Do you think there's any real humanity left in Homelander or is he just a rabid animal?" I think there is humanity left in him and I think

[03:39] that is basically the character's main issue with himself. his kryptonite has been his humanity that he's always wanted to be rid of.

[03:52] But unfortunately he can't because he is actually a man. So, I'm gonna say he's like 50/50 human and rabid animal. "Will 'The Boys' be next to join the list

[04:07] or provide a satisfying conclusion?" an ending that satisfies everyone? and everyone wants different things.

[04:23] But something just finished. I won't say what. I was scratching my head at the end going, This is the end of the run. Kill some people."

[04:36] "Don't get attached to any characters on this show JarodMMS asks, "Does Homelander genuinely think he's a hero?"

[04:51] Yeah, you know, I think in his heart of hearts he knows seem to have bad consequences. You know, bad people don't walk around

[05:07] because that's what they've learned to do to survive. because since such a young age He also would prefer to be a god,

[05:24] TheNiceTnetennba asks, of Homelander in the entire series. makes you genuinely feel sorry for him.

[05:39] This is when potential love of his life, Stormfront, she's blown up by Homelander's son. And this is him coming across her charred remains.

[05:53] Well, first of all, I think it's a very, it's a lovely shot and I think the slow mo does a lot to sell the impact. There's actually moments through the show

[06:06] is that we've been able to go there and really flesh it out. To provide a reason for why he is what he is. But we do understand.

[06:22] And I think that makes it a much more compelling villain. Any reason Hollywood psychopaths or villains drink milk?

[06:35] There's Hans Landa was it? From "Inglorious Bastards." The infamous Javier Bardem in "No Country for Old Men." And Malcolm McDowell and his droog accompaniment.

[06:52] Well, first of all, I would argue as well even though he's a hitman in that movie, he becomes the protector of this abused young girl.

[07:07] But he's a very tough guy and he's a hitman. it's the thing about opposites. You know, you've got the worst people with basically like,

[07:22] I mean, that's what you're taught as a child, You know, it's good for your bones. Just saying. Broccoli's better.

[07:35] drinking the most innocent childish drink. And I think it just, it's a good mix of opposites. Anthony Starr does much with his face.

[07:49] in Homelander's thoughts and feelings evolving as rapidly and fluidly as in reality with a clip." [crowd cheering and applauding]

[08:02] All right. oh, very grateful to, it's a lovely thing to say. I'm a nerd when it comes to the writing and the script,

[08:16] getting everything super down And then, throw that all away 'cause that's all in there. And leave it up to the moment and see what happens.

[08:33] You're always reacting off someone else, right? Unless... and I think as long as you've got the thoughts going on,

[08:45] this does the rest. Optimistic_doc. That was Fucking Diabolical. And let's watch Karl with the laser baby.

[08:59] [gunfire popping] What was the scene that made me think what the fuck?

[09:13] had been taking hormones to produce breast milk and she reveals that to me by squirting some in my face. And the loyalty and devotion

[09:28] We played it like a love scene. and it was so delicate and nice. And it became so beautiful and like a lover's moment

[09:43] about the most ridiculous thing that we've shot in the show. "What the fuck are we doing?" I could have done anything.

[09:56] JadedCommunication. Good point. Really good point. But I think it's human nature.

[10:10] So, I think wherever you take people, there's gonna be a mix And I'm glad they do because we literally wouldn't have a show again.

[10:23] What is your favorite fight scene I haven't had a lot, which is kinda great It's really hard on the body.

[10:36] and Butcher try and take me out. Our stunt coordinator, John Koyama, he's now won two Emmys for the show and he's brilliant.

[10:49] It's tough because we're not a Marvel movie. So within that, there's a lot of different constraints. So, to be as creative as John is and create the sequences

[11:06] that he has created is just amazing. With these great moments in between that Butcher's character has superpowers now.

[11:20] And it was just really fun to do. of in teleport, but in the teleportation process,

[11:33] he loses all clothes so he just turns up naked everywhere. So, there's this very typical strain of humor which is one of the hallmarks of the show.

[11:48] Who is the most hated character on the show? Aya Cash that played Stormfront. That was the Season 2 girlfriend of Homelander.

[12:03] And A-Train. as he goes into decline. I think the lovely human being Aya Cash

[12:19] which means one, she did a fantastic job. so it was perfect. and that's the best thing that could happen to a Nazi, so.

[12:36] Can we just talk about for a second how fucking spot on I think it's, Interestingly they got two people from New Zealand

[12:49] to play a guy from England and a guy from America. "Wow, this person brought something to the script - Maybe Chace Crawford who plays the Deep.

[13:05] Like, I didn't expect him to be quite so funny. I can barely get through it when we're doing his coverage because he goes off script a lot and ads and subtracts.

[13:17] Aside from them being perfectly cast for the characters, You know, when I came on,

[13:29] Eric said he had a no asshole policy and it's 100% right. We've had five seasons over eight years catching up with everyone

[13:42] and the show that's been such a big part of our lives New to the show, Well then we don't have a show.

[13:56] They've come to blows a few times over the seasons. so who knows what will happen. is nothing is gonna be left to the imagination.

[14:12] Nightforce asks, and Homelander is not a villain." he is a serial killer.

[14:26] whether Homie's the bad guy or not. and Butcher is not a great guy, but at least he's got,

[14:38] and he's trying to do the right thing just the wrong way. What makes Homelander I don't if I can answer that

[14:51] because it's weird talking about yourself in that context. I think one of the things is not go for the mustache twirly villain.

[15:04] and explain why he is who he is, and what he is. It's a lot more complex than superheroes.

[15:20] now expect a lot more from a villain, you know? My favorite villain, and I keep mentioning Marvel. But my favorite villain of recent memory is Thanos

[15:37] but he had such a good philosophy behind it And there's a little part of me that's like, I don't think Homelander

[15:51] has anywhere near the same philosophy or intention. But you know, the the point being, like, he's complex.

[16:04] And I think people respond to that. ImprovementThin235. where he can truly do whatever the fuck he wants?

[16:20] Well, the character has threatened that he'll just end the world and kill everyone. But then the one thing that he craves is love and adoration.

[16:34] So, difficult to know where that would sit. Because of that contradiction and who he is.

[16:49] So, he desperately needs people That's the dilemma for him

[17:02] 'cause he can never accept his own truth. and I hope you learned a little something too. [gentle techno music]