The Boys' 2027 Return Is The End Of An Era

Published Jul 18, 2026, 2:00 PM EDT Kyle is a senior writer at ScreenRant and has been part of the team for over two years. Having led coverage on The Walking Dead projects alongside Rick & Morty, Kyle is well versed in numerous genres. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Kyle is a passionate journalist who has a keen interest in TV and film. He has six years of experience studying journalism including a HND in Practical Journalism and a BA Honours in Journalism, Media and Communication and History. Alongside his love for TV and film, Kyle enjoys video games, football and Formula 1. After a highly divisive finale ended one of the most influential superhero shows of the 21st century, it's only natural to worry about The Boys' future. How the franchise will cope without its main villain and central group of heroes is anyone's guess, yet this bizarre universe won't be gone long, as Vought Rising is set to debut in 2027. Despite being a narcissistic villain, Soldier Boy will return in Vought Rising and is set to lead the series opposite Aya Cash's Stormfront/ Liberty. Both made a big impression on the original show, having previously been central antagonists, but now they will spearhead a new era of The Boys, as it'll be the first spinoff to launch after the finale. Prime Video doesn't have its flagship hit to fall back on if Vought Rising goes badly, meaning the prequel will have to stand on its own two feet. Considering The Boys season 5's ending was met with such a mixed reception, the pressure is even higher on this upcoming project to hit the ground running right from the off. However, being the first new project in the Vought Cinematic Universe after The Boys isn't the only reason Vought Rising's debut will be the end of an era. It'll also be the first live-action spinoff that doesn't coincide with the main show despite being set in the same universe, since it'll take place several decades beforehand. The Boys' Vought Rising Spinoff Isn't A Continuation Like Gen V Gen V felt like a breath of fresh air when it premiered in 2023 as the spinoff focused on new characters in a vastly different location, yet it still acted as a continuation of the main show. Familiar faces such as Victoria Neuman, Soldier Boy, Billy Butcher, and Homelander all appeared in some capacity, confirming that the two projects went hand in hand. Although Gen V wasn't mandatory viewing for fans of The Boys, both shows tied into one another and advanced the timeline, which Vought Rising won't do. Sure, it will still have to be cautious of events from the main series, but with Vought Rising being a prequel set in the 1950s, it's unlikely to have a serious impact on the pre-established lore. It will give context about the true nature of Soldier Boy and Stormfront's relationship while clarifying more secrets regarding Vought's secrets alongside the origin of supes. That said, very few parts look likely to impact The Boys' present timeline, and even if they do, there isn't an ongoing show to worry about anyway. In many ways, the spinoff has complete freedom to be creative and do its own thing so long as it doesn't rewrite what happened in The Boys — something Gen V didn't have the luxury of doing. However, it also means audiences won't feel the need to watch it just to keep up with the main show, which could be a double-edged sword. Either way, this upcoming Prime Video show is one you cannot miss if you love this unhinged superhero universe, and it will unquestionably be the start of a new chapter for The Boys franchise. Vought Rising's New Direction Could Be A Blessing Or A Curse As exciting as it will be to see Vought Rising take The Boys franchise in a new direction, only time will tell whether this will be a good or bad thing. On the positive side, it's a chance to do something different with an IP that was getting somewhat stale. A large reason behind season 5's criticisms was that it all felt a little familiar and safe up until the finale, but Vought Rising can rewrite expectations. Understandably, Soldier Boy and Stormfront have to survive alongside anyone else who was alive in The Boys, but other big characters can be killed off unexpectedly. In addition, Vought Rising could help The Boys change genre in 2027, as despite maintaining those brutal, comedic, and superhero elements, the spinoff is set to be a murder mystery. Therefore, this unique presentation can separate the upcoming series from its predecessors and potentially fare even better as a result. On the other hand, not having The Boys to support it may make audiences less interested, especially knowing certain characters are untouchable. Soldier Boy can't die in the 1950s since he is still alive even after the main show's ending, meaning no matter what high-stakes danger he faces, the protagonist will always come out in one piece. The older timeframe also limits things from a power perspective and a technological one, meaning it could be hard to retain the interest of viewers. Until Vought Rising premieres, it remains anyone's guess whether this new direction will work in its favor, but either way, it's nice to see the franchise taking a risk and trying something new. Vought Rising Will Show Whether The Boys Can Continue Long-Term At the peak of its popularity, The Boys was hard to contend with and felt like one of the biggest superhero IPs going, but that support has dwindled in recent years. It remains a beloved and respected franchise, but one that developed more problems as time went on, making Vought Rising the true test of The Boys' longevity. The story was never going to go on forever, and five seasons felt like the right amount of time to cover everything, even if some aspects could've used more time, and others less. Regardless, fans knew they were going to say goodbye eventually, but the unexpected number of spinoffs was proof this universe was designed to last beyond the main show. Without its biggest draws, this won't be easy, but Vought Rising still has a few notable characters alongside an interesting premise that will test the waters. Understandably, the 2027 project will likely accumulate fewer views than The Boys, yet it could find a new audience while retaining the quality people have come to expect with the franchise. Vought Rising has only been picked up for one season. It's unclear whether the spinoff will go on longer. Assuming this is the case, there is a real chance this universe can continue for years to come, despite The Boys canceling Gen V, which looked like a natural replacement. We know The Boys: Mexico is in development, and if that also performs well, maybe Gen V could return, or another project set after the events of The Boys. In contrast, these two shows failing to meet expectations would be the nail in the coffin for the franchise, marking a sad but natural end to one of Prime Video's biggest success stories. There's A Small Chance Vought Rising Will Surprise Us Vought Rising has the potential to stun us in various ways, and while it may seem unlikely, the spinoff could be partially set in the present, which would be a welcomed surprise. All the promotional material and advertising point to the plot being all about Vought's origins and the company's past atrocities, with Soldier Boy and Stormfront being heavily involved. Alone, this is enough to hook people and generate interest, but it would be fascinating to see some parts of the show take place in and around season 5. Whether it be a gradual reveal that Stormfront is still alive in The Boys universe, or showing what happened after Soldier Boy was put on ice again, some continuation would be nice. Leaving Soldier Boy alive without following up on his season 5 fate would be strange, indicating that The Boys will explore this at some point. Rather than waiting until yet another new project, Vought Rising could easily touch upon some events after the main show's conclusion, so long as they tie into the story being told from the 1950s. It still feels like a long shot, but even if we had to wait until a second season for these elements to be included, it would be worth it. Therefore, Vought Rising could still pull off a few tricks when it lands on screens in 2027, and it's clearly a pivotal part of The Boys' future, despite being set in the past. The Boys 7/10 Release Date 2019 - 2026-00-00 Showrunner Eric Kripke Based on the hit comic series, Amazon Prime's The Boys is a gritty subversive take on the superhero genre, focusing on a group of vigilantes who confront and punish the powerful superheroes who abuse their abilities. Vought Rising Network Prime Video Directors Philip Sgriccia, Shana Stein, Sam Miller Cast Elizabeth Posey Private Angel Vought Rising is a prequel to The Boys set in the 1950s, following the early years of Vought International as Soldier Boy and Stormfront help shape the corporation into a powerful force built on propaganda, celebrity, and hidden violence. Set decades before the events of the main series, the show explores how the company’s public image was constructed and how its corruption became deeply tied to American culture and politics. Gen V 8/10 Release Date 2023 - 2025-00-00 Network Prime Video A spin-off of The Boys, Gen V is based on a story arc from the original comic series set in the TV series universe. Gen V follows a group of college students starting at a Vought International-created school for superheroes, where students compete in increasingly dangerous challenges to win a hero contract in the highest-paying and most coveted city locations.