The Boys has made changes to its source material, but there’s one small alteration that means Gen V could be the first of many spinoff shows.

The Boys made several key changes to the comics when it was adapted for television, but one of the alterations opens the door for even more spinoffs that could come after Gen V. Many of the core elements and characters have remained in place for Amazon’s live-action version of Garth Ennis’ work, the differences between The Boys show and the comics have allowed the story to take on a life of its own. However, one particular deviation could be the key to the future of The Boys franchise.

The Boys season 1 started in 2019, but the show’s first spinoff arrived in 2023 while fans eagerly awaited The Boys season 4. The spinoff in question, Gen V, focuses on a new set of characters as they learn how to conduct themselves as Supes at Godolkin University. However, an addition to Gen V‘s parent program offers the chance for even more shows to be set in the same universe as Homelander and company. If so, The Boys season 4 cast may not be the only ones crossing over into interconnected spinoffs.

Vought “International” Sets Up More The Boys Spinoffs Around The World

The Boys TV show made a small change that could have a huge impact.

The organization responsible for the existence of Supes in the TV version of The Boys is known as Vought International. In the comics, the company is a domestic operation known as Vought-American. By Amazon making this change to the source material, it implies that there are other branches of Vought outside the US. If so, The Boys could become a global narrative, with various spinoffs being commissioned to focus on Supes in other countries.

The fact that The Boys: Mexico has been greenlit would seem to suggest this is the framework being considered by the franchise. As with Gen V, The Boys: Mexico will be set within the same continuity as The Boys, although will likely have its own semi-independent narrative that could eventually tie into the other shows. If Vought-American hadn’t been rebranded as Vought International for the live-action adaptation, then this huge expansion wouldn’t have been so clean-cut. As it stands, The Boys: Mexico can make use of the fictional corporation’s Mexican presence to build its story.

Gen V Has Already Proven The Boys Is Willing To Go Beyond The Source Material

Gen V is only loosely based on the comics

Vought being stationed in Mexico isn’t faithful to the source material, but The Boys has already established it’s more than comfortable making radical changes to Ennis’ work. This isn’t just true in the main show, but the very existence of the Gen V spinoff is a great example of how willing The Boys is to expand its world. When The Boys added Gen V to its universe, it became one of many live-action adaptations to take their story beyond the source material. While Gen V is loosely based on storylines from the comics, it’s so different that it’s practically unrecognizable.

While The Boys may not be the first property to add to its canon, it could be about to embark on one of the more extreme examples of lore expansion.

So, while The Boys may not be the first property to add to its canon, it could be about to embark on one of the more extreme examples of lore expansion. In addition, these new speculative spinoffs could be standalone projects. It made sense to intertwine Gen V with The Boys, as they both take place in the same country. However, if more spinoffs focusing on nations all over the world start to appear, it could be better to have them each take place in isolation rather than endlessly referencing the events of The Boys and Gen V.

More The Boys Spinoffs Risks The Franchise Becoming Hypocritical

Too much content from The Boys could be counterproductive to the show’s original message.

Although The Boys is a compelling show in its own right, part of its success comes from the fact that it’s essentially a satirical take on superhero media. Specifically, the franchise is spoofing the ubiquity of movies and TV shows that follow the exploits of various superheroes. For example, the “VCU” in The Boys is a direct reference to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In addition, many of the Supes’ powers very closely resemble more well-known characters from franchises such as Marvel and DC.

Although Gen V and The Boys: Mexico are exciting prospects, too many spinoffs would water down The Boys franchise and make it too similar to the other superhero properties of which it’s making fun. As such, the show will need to be wary of following the same framework as its meta competitors. Otherwise, The Boys runs the risk of not only making their shows less sought after but also being labeled as hypocrites.