Eric Kripke, the creator of the hit Prime Video series The Boys, has revealed the original pitch document for the show, offering fans a glimpse into how the project was first presented over a decade ago. Sharing the document on Instagram, Kripke reflected on the origins of the series, which debuted in 2019 and concluded in 2026 with its fifth and final season.
Inspirations and Vision
Kripke described the series as "an early Guy Ritchie movie, meets DEADPOOL, meets INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS, meets a Denis Leary movie, meets THE RAID." He expressed gratitude to the "hundreds of actors, thousands of crew, and millions of viewers" who supported the project, noting that the team remained faithful to the original vision outlined in the pitch.
Pre-dating Deadpool
Notably, the comparison to Deadpool predates the release of the first Ryan Reynolds-led film, which arrived in cinemas in 2016. While Deadpool later helped popularise darker and more satirical superhero stories, Kripke's pitch indicates that similar themes were already central to The Boys years before its television debut. The Guy Ritchie influence also reflected the filmmaker's earlier crime comedies, including Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch.
From Comic to Screen
According to the pitch, Kripke drew inspiration from the original comic book series created by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, although the television adaptation eventually introduced several differences from the source material. Throughout its five-season run, The Boys became known for its satirical approach to superheroes, politics, and popular culture. The series followed the conflict between Billy Butcher and Homelander, portrayed by Karl Urban and Antony Starr respectively.
Awards Campaign
The document was shared as part of a "For Your Consideration" campaign ahead of awards season, with Kripke highlighting the show's journey from an unproduced concept to one of Prime Video's most successful original series.
Future of the Franchise
Although The Boys has concluded, the franchise will continue with Vought Rising, a prequel series scheduled for release in 2027.
