Gen V Star Makes Shocking Confession About The Boys, Homelander

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It’s hard to imagine anyone but Antony Starr playing Homelander in Amazon’s ‘The Boys.’ He truly owns the role, but before he got the part, another actor who would later become well-known auditioned to play the powerful and troubled character.

I was so surprised to learn that Patrick Schwarzenegger originally wanted to play Homelander! As a fan of both The Boys and Gen V, I’ve really enjoyed him as Golden Boy, but he recently told Josh Horowitz that was actually his second choice. He initially auditioned hoping to get the role of Homelander, which is wild to think about now that we’ve seen him shine as Golden Boy!

I hadn’t encountered anything about ‘The Boys’ before the show actually became ‘The Boys.’ I didn’t hear back after the audition—which isn’t unusual, as actors audition for many roles and rarely get them. That audition was the extent of my involvement at that time. I wasn’t sure what they were casting for, or what age range they were considering, but that’s what happened.

Schwarzenegger then described how failing to hit that shot ultimately led to him landing the role in the Gen V pilot, where he starred alongside Jaz Sinclair as Marie Moreau.

So, when they were casting for Gen V, the producers remembered my audition for Homelander and asked me to try out for Golden Boy. They were pretty upfront, though – they told me right away that my character was only going to be around for the first episode! I was totally fine with that – a quick, fun role. They did add that they might bring me back for a few scenes later on, which was a nice surprise.

I auditioned for the role and was called back for further auditions, including a reading with the director and a chemistry test with other actors. The whole experience reminded me that it’s important to always make a strong impression, because you never know what opportunities might come your way.

It All Worked Out In Golden Fashion

Of course, Schwarzenegger doesn’t regret not being cast as Homelander. The character and The Boys series have been hugely successful, and he actually agrees that another actor, like Antony Starr, perfectly embodied the role – and he’s happy with that.

I’m really glad that role went to him. He’s incredibly talented, and I could never achieve what he has. He already receives a lot of praise, but honestly, he deserves even more. His work is phenomenal – Emmy-worthy, even. His performance is just outstanding, with so much nuance and depth.

Arnold Schwarzenegger made a strong impression despite his brief appearance, as his character’s death was crucial for setting up the storylines of everyone else. He’s now gained even more recognition for playing Saxon Ratliff in HBO’s The White Lotus, proving it was a successful move for all involved.

All seasons of The Boys and Gen V are both currently streaming on Prime Video.

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2025-11-08 19:09