Anthony Starr, who plays Homelander in *The Boys*, reflects on the character’s iconic meme‑worthy cheek‑puffing, his favorite on‑screen moments (the plane‑waving scene, the laser‑splitting plane, and pushing his son off a roof), and how a stunt revealed his own fear of heights. He discusses the tension between Homelander’s lingering humanity and his monstrous impulses, likening him to “50/50 human and rabbit animal,” and notes that Homelander genuinely believes he’s a hero because he’s been brain‑washed since childhood. Starr highlights a particularly poignant, slow‑mo shot of Homelander reacting to Stormfront’s charred remains as a rare glimpse of vulnerability, explains why villains in film often drink milk (the ironic contrast of innocence and evil), and describes his acting approach—thorough preparation followed by spontaneous, in‑the‑moment reactions. He touches on the show’s inevitable violent ending, the debate over whether Butcher or Homelander is the true villain, what makes Homelander a compelling television antagonist (depth, backstory, complexity beyond a simple “mustache‑twirly” bad guy), and imagines Homelander’s fantasy world as a contradictory mix of craving love and adoration while wanting to destroy everything. Starr wraps up by thanking fans for the questions and expressing hope they learned something new.
1. Anthony Starr introduced himself as the interviewee in a Wired complete interview.
2. Tommy Nook asked if anyone else finds themselves copying Homelander's mannerisms in a video.
3. Anthony Starr said that after a rally he skipped and hallucinated his father.
4. He stated that the moment of him skipping and hallucinating his father has become a popular meme.
5. He mentioned that people blew up the cheeks in that meme and it spread widely.
6. Kirby Brass asked what the most “up” thing Homelander did is.
7. Anthony Starr said the most up thing Homelander did is in season 5 (cannot spoil) and, up to then, two plane‑related actions: waving to a kid in a plane in episode 1 and lasering the plane in half, letting the child and father fall.
8. He also referenced another plane incident in season 1 episode 4 where a whole plane load of passengers was left to die.
9. He noted that people often bring up Homelander pushing his son off the roof.
10. He described his view of that incident as good parenting, saying the kid had superpowers and learned a lesson.
11. Callender Jewel 1487 asked how people with a fear of heights manage flying.
12. Anthony Starr said the more you do something, the less afraid you get.
13. He recounted a recent flight where he grabbed an older woman’s arm after a bump.
14. He mentioned a stunt on *Gen V* where he was harnessed about 40 ft up, halfway, and felt scared.
15. He said the top of the stunt was about 85 ft and he freaked out, realizing he has a fear of heights.
16. Optimistic Doc asked about a diabolical scene; Anthony Starr described a season 4 scene where Firecracker squirted breast milk in his face, revealing her loyalty and devotion.
17. Jada Communication asked why people try to commit crimes in the universe; Anthony Starr said it is human nature and without it there would be no show.
18. Plenty celery 97001 asked about his favorite fight scene; Anthony Starr said it was when Soldier Boy and Butcher tried to take him out, praising stunt coordinator John Koyama.
19. He noted that Jack Quaid’s character can teleport but loses all clothing, appearing naked.
20. Irohi Jaglan asked who is the most hated character; Anthony Starr said Aya Cash (Stormfront) received a lot of hate, did a fantastic job, was the season 2 antagonist, and was blown up.
21. RyGuy24 commented on casting; Anthony Starr agreed the casting is spot‑on, noting two New Zealanders playing an Englishman and an American.
22. He mentioned Chace Crawford (the Deep) adds humor by frequently going off script.
23. He said Eric Kripke had a no‑phone policy on set, which he believes is correct.
24. Anthony Starr stated the show has had five seasons over eight years.
25. Secret Asian Man asked why Homelander doesn’t just kill The Boys; Anthony Starr replied that then there would be no show, only a five‑minute YouTube clip.
26. Nightforce asked if Butcher is the real villain; Anthony Starr said if Homelander isn’t the villain he is a serial killer, and Homelander is clearly the bad guy.
27. Quirky data 3500 asked what makes Homelander a great villain; Anthony Starr said they avoided a mustache‑twirly villain, focused on his backstory, and made him complex.
28. He cited his favorite recent villain as Thanos, noting Thanos’s philosophy of balancing the universe.
29. Improvement thin235 asked about Homelander’s ideal world; Anthony Starr said Homelander craves love and adoration but also threatens to end the world, and his humanity is his kryptonite, creating a dilemma.
30. Anthony Starr concluded by saying he learned a lot and hopes the audience did as well.