I’m Convinced Butcher Already Created Homelander’s Replacement in The Boys Season 5

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I believe Butcher has secretly created a new supe in Season 5 of The Boys who could carry on the story even after the main show ends. Be warned, spoilers follow for Episodes 1-7! As The Boys nears its conclusion, with only one episode remaining, the heroes are close to defeating Homelander and trying to bring peace back to the world. However, the danger from superpowered individuals won’t simply disappear. According to Stan Edgar, something – or someone – will likely rise to take Homelander’s place, continuing the pattern of violence and corruption.

With the season finale of The Boys being a standard length, it’s going to be difficult to wrap up all the storylines properly. We’ll find out what happens to key characters like Homelander, Butcher, Hughie, and Starlight, but there likely won’t be enough time to fully explore the consequences of Homelander’s actions or give adequate closure to many supporting characters. Considering the cancellation of the Gen V spinoff, those characters probably won’t get satisfying endings either. Plus, even some of the main show’s supporting players might be left hanging. However, with Soldier Boy potentially still alive, Eric Kripke hinting at future appearances for the Gen V cast, and a promise from Stan Edgar, it seems The Boys is setting up potential sequels. Interestingly, the show may have already identified a replacement for Homelander – a result of Butcher’s single-minded determination to take down Antony Starr’s character, no matter the cost.

Ryan Could Become Homelander’s Replacement After The Boys Season 5

Ryan, despite being central to both Homelander and Butcher’s journeys, doesn’t appear much in Season 5 of The Boys. This is surprising, considering he’s a uniquely powerful superhero – the only one born with powers in the show – and could potentially become as strong as Homelander. Even if he shows up in the final episode, it’s difficult to see how his story will be satisfyingly resolved. After his confrontation with Homelander in Season 5, Episode 3, it’s clear Ryan won’t defeat his father on his own. It’s hard to imagine what role he’ll play in the show’s ending at all, unless the writers are planning something for him after the series concludes.

After the events of The Boys Season 4, Ryan likely no longer feels any allegiance to Homelander. However, Butcher’s harsh treatment doesn’t make him want to join The Boys either. Feeling abandoned by both sides, Ryan might avoid the final battle altogether. This actually puts him in a strong position, as Vought and Stan Edgar will probably still be in power after everything settles – and they’ll likely see him as an easier-to-manage version of his father.

Butcher Set Ryan on a Darker Path (& It Makes His Own Story More Tragic)

If Ryan ends up taking Homelander’s place, it would make Butcher’s journey even more heartbreaking. Many believe Butcher is almost as bad as Homelander, because he’s willing to sacrifice anything and anyone to get revenge. While the TV version of Butcher isn’t quite as extreme as the comic book character, this tendency remains a core part of his story. He’s repeatedly prioritized hurting Homelander over supporting Ryan, who admires and cares for him. This could ultimately backfire, with Ryan ending up becoming the very monster Butcher is trying to destroy.

While Ryan might not reach Homelander’s level of villainy, Butcher risks continuing a cycle of violence by ignoring his own contributions to it. If Butcher chooses anger over compassion, it will only help Ryan fall under the control of people like Stan Edgar and Zoe. Trusting them could easily turn Ryan into Vought’s next manipulated weapon. Throughout The Boys, Butcher had several opportunities to guide Ryan differently, but with Season 5 offering no clear path for Ryan and suggesting Vought will endure beyond Homelander, and with Ryan becoming increasingly dangerous, I suspect Ryan will become the next major villain. If that happens, it will cast a much more troubling light on Butcher’s actions and what he’ll be remembered for.

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2026-05-16 21:42