The Boys Universe Gets a Major Shake-Up: Diabolical Canceled, Gen V Needs Your Views!

Big news for fans of Prime Video's wild superhero world! While the main The Boys series is heading for its epic finale, some of its spin-offs are facing tough times, with the animated anthology Diabolical getting the axe and Gen V's future hanging in the balance, dependent on audience numbers.

TL;DR: The Quick Scoop on The Boys Universe!

• The Boys Presents: Diabolical has been quietly canceled by Prime Video after its single 2022 season, due to insufficient viewership.
• The future of Gen V Season 3 and Vought Rising Season 2 is directly tied to current audience numbers, with creator Eric Kripke urging fans to watch now.
• The Boys main series will conclude with its fifth season in 2026, while The Boys: Mexico is still in early development.

Alright, supe-fans, gather 'round! The Boys universe on Prime Video has been a wild, bloody, and hilariously satirical ride, expanding from the main series into a full-blown multimedia franchise. But, like a rogue supe, not everything can fly forever. We've just gotten some major updates from the creator himself, Eric Kripke, about the fate of the various spin-offs, and let's just say it's a mixed bag of exciting potential and sad goodbyes.

While the flagship series is gearing up for its fifth and final season, the future of its expanding universe, including the college-set Gen V and upcoming prequels, now rests firmly on the shoulders of one crucial factor: viewer numbers. Amazon is watching, and Kripke is making sure we all know it.

An Unexpected Farewell to Animation: Why Diabolical Won't Be Returning

Let's kick things off with the somber news: The Boys Presents: Diabolical, the critically acclaimed animated anthology series, won't be getting a second season. Released in 2022, the series offered eight standalone stories, each with its own unique animation style and a hefty dose of that signature Boys gore and dark humor. It boasted an impressive 97% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes, delighting fans and critics with its creative freedom and diverse storytelling.

Despite the critical praise and innovative format, Kripke confirmed to TheWrap that the viewership just wasn't there to justify a continuation. "I don't think there's going to be a Season 2 of 'Diabolical'," Kripke stated, adding, "It's not for lack of us pushing. I think ultimately the viewer numbers weren't there to justify a second season, sadly."

This is a real bummer for those of us who loved seeing the universe pushed in new directions. Diabolical allowed creators like Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Awkwafina, and even original comic author Garth Ennis to play in The Boys' sandbox without strictly adhering to the live-action canon. One standout was the finale, which uniquely explored Homelander's early days with The Seven and his complex relationship with Black Noir, making it one of the few episodes officially considered canon within the wider timeline.

While showrunner Simon Racioppa and Kripke themselves would have been "game to do it," Prime Video hasn't given the green light. The lack of updates over the past three years since its release was perhaps a quiet hint, but Kripke's recent remarks solidify its fate as a one-season wonder. It proved that animation could thrive in this universe, and that an anthology format could explore everyday supe challenges and comic homages (like the non-canon "I'm Your Pusher" episode with Hughie and Billy Butcher), but for now, it's the franchise's sole animated endeavor.

Gen V's Future Hinges Entirely on YOU: Start Watching Season 2 Right Away!

Now, let's talk about the super-powered college drama, Gen V. Good news first: it's not canceled! In fact, Season 2 is currently wrapping up its thrilling run, leading directly into the main series' upcoming fifth season. The even bigger news, though, is that the show's future, specifically a potential Season 3, is entirely dependent on audience engagement. Kripke wasn't subtle about it.

In his interview with TheWrap, Kripke laid it out plainly: "We have a plan for 'Gen V' Season 3, and we're psyched about it, but we need enough viewers to watch Season 2 to justify Season 3. Now's the time that they're paying attention to the numbers. So don't watch even a year from now. Turn on Prime [Video] and watch it now. If enough people watch then we'll get a Season 3."

So, if you're a fan of Marie, Cate, Jordan, and the rest of Godolkin University's aspiring (and often deranged) supes, now is the time to binge-watch and make your presence known! The second season of Gen V picks up about six months before The Boys Season 5, deeply entwining the narratives and showing the immediate impact of Homelander's rise as a fascist leader on the students. Showrunner Michele Fazekas confirmed that Season 2's primary task was "launching into 'The Boys'," making it increasingly vital viewing for anyone following the overarching story.

The interconnectivity between the shows means that characters from The Boys appear in Gen V, and vice-versa, enriching the experience for those who watch both. But even for those who only follow one, the creative team ensures the story remains understandable. However, understanding the business side means that if the numbers aren't there for Gen V Season 2, a Season 3 might remain just a plan.

"I don't think there's going to be a Season 2 of 'Diabolical.' It's not for lack of us pushing. I think ultimately the viewer numbers weren't there to justify a second season, sadly... We have a plan for 'Gen V' Season 3, and we're psyched about it, but we need enough viewers to watch Season 2 to justify Season 3. Now's the time that they're paying attention to the numbers. So don't watch even a year from now. Turn on Prime [Video] and watch it now. If enough people watch then we'll get a Season 3. Same applies to 'Vought Rising' Season 1... But it's a business and we also have to deliver. So hopefully the audience shows up." — Eric Kripke, Creator of The Boys universe, to TheWrap

New Supes on the Horizon: Key Updates on Vought Rising and The Boys: Mexico

Even with one animated spin-off gone, the live-action side of The Boys universe is still looking to expand! Two more projects are currently in various stages of development, showing that Prime Video isn't ready to let go of this world just yet. However, their future, too, comes with Kripke's caveat about viewership.

Vought Rising: Diving into the 1950s With a Twisted Murder Mystery

First up is Vought Rising, a prequel series currently in production for its first season. This show is described as a "twisted murder mystery" set in the 1950s, delving into the early days of Vought International and the supe program. It's set to bring back some familiar faces, with Jensen Ackles reprising his role as Soldier Boy! He'll be joined by an exciting cast, including:

• Mason Dye as Bombsight
• Will Hochman as Torpedo
• Elizabeth Posey as Private Angel
• Aya Cash as Stormfront (another familiar face!)
• Jorden Myrie, Nicolò Pasetti, Ricky Staffieri, and Brian J. Smith in undisclosed roles.

Kripke has confirmed that there are already "plans for a Season 2" of Vought Rising. However, you guessed it: these plans are contingent on the audience showing up for Season 1. So, if you're keen to see the origins of some of Vought's earliest, darkest secrets, make sure you tune in when it drops!

The Boys: Mexico: The Franchise Goes International

The universe is also set to expand internationally with The Boys: Mexico. This Spanish-language, live-action spin-off is currently in the development phase, with Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer (known for Blue Beetle) penning the pilot script. Gael García Bernal is attached as a star and executive producer, with Diego Luna also serving as an executive producer.

Kripke sounds optimistic about this new venture. "Mexico is just being developed right now. The pilot script is being written. Gareth is a wonderful writer and I think it's hilarious. I hope it gets made, but [it's] just in that development phase," he told TheWrap. It's still early days, but the prospect of a new, culturally distinct supe story within this world is definitely exciting.

Charting the Course: What These Updates Mean for The Boys Universe Beyond Season 5

The news about Diabolical, Gen V, and the other spin-offs paints a clear picture: while The Boys universe is still very much alive and expanding, its future is becoming increasingly merit-based. With the main The Boys series confirmed to end after its fifth season (expected in 2026), these spin-offs aren't just supplementary content; they are the torchbearers for the entire franchise.

Kripke's candidness about viewership numbers highlights a shift in how streaming platforms like Prime Video are making renewal decisions. It's a business, and even for a successful franchise like The Boys, continuous investment requires demonstrable audience engagement. This means every view, every binge-watch, genuinely matters. The recent leadership changes at Amazon, with Peter Friedlander now heading global TV, underscore this focus on delivering solid viewership to justify ongoing production.

Despite the challenges, Kripke remains excited about the universe's potential. He envisions a "fascinating universe" post-The Boys Season 5, describing it as "so much more of the wild west in terms of, like, fing anything goes." He'd "love to put the 'Gen V' kids in the middle of" that unpredictable future. This suggests a desire for the spin-offs, particularly Gen V, to carry the creative torch forward into new, uncharted territory once the central conflict of the main series concludes.

So, as Gen V Season 2 nears its finale on October 22nd, and with The Boys Season 5 arriving in 2026, the message from the top is clear: if you want more insane, satirical supe action, you've got to show up and watch it live (or at least, very soon after release) on Prime Video!

Frequently Asked Questions About The Boys Universe

• When is the Gen V Season 2 finale? The season 2 finale of Gen V is scheduled to premiere on Prime Video on October 22nd.
• Where can I watch The Boys Presents: Diabolical? All eight episodes of The Boys Presents: Diabolical are currently available to stream on Prime Video.
• Is The Boys main series ending soon? Yes, The Boys will conclude with its fifth season, which is expected to premiere in 2026.
• What other The Boys spin-offs are in the works? Aside from Gen V, a 1950s prequel called Vought Rising is in production, and The Boys: Mexico is in early development.

Sources:

• ScreenRant: The Boys Presents: Diabolical Quietly Canceled By Prime Video After One Season
• Polygon: The Boys’ universe expands, but not for Diabolical
• ComicBook.com: The Boys Universe Keeps Expanding (Even Though One Show Has Been Canceled)
• Just Jared: 'Gen V' Season 3? Renewal Status Revealed for Prime Video TV Show
• Bleeding Cool: The Boys/Gen V/"Vought Rising": Eric Kripke on Franchise's Future
• The Direct: Gen V Season 3 & Series Future Gets Official Comments from Prime Video Showrunner Michele Fazekas
• Cosmic Book News: The Boys Franchise Losing Viewers As Eric Kripke’s Politics Turn Off Fans
• JoBlo: Will The Boys: Diabolical return for season 2?