‘The Boys’ get animated spin-off series ‘Diabolical’ on Amazon
The irreverent hit superhero show The Boys on Amazon Prime is getting an eight-episode animated spin-off series dubbed Diabolical.
Amazon Prime revealed the title of the animated anthology series set in the same universe as The Boys in a video message featuring actor Karl Urban.
Urban, who portrays Billy Butcher in The Boys, confirmed the news during one of Amazon Prime Video’s Comic-Con Experience 2021 virtual panels on Monday (Dec. 6).
“There is no question that you guys are the greatest fans in the world,” Urban said in the video. “As a special way of saying thank you to you, we’ve got a little surprise for you which is going to drop early next year… [Producers Eric Kripke, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg] have asked a few of their celebrity mates to cook up eight deliciously unique, twisted, animated episodes set in the world of The Boys.”
Diabolical, which comes from Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television Studios, will feature untold stories in the world of The Boys penned by top writers across the entertainment industry. Upcoming episodes feature stories written by Awkwafina, Garth Ennis, Eliot and Ilana Glazer, Simon Racioppa, Justin Roiland and Ben Bayouth, Andy Samberg and Aisha Tyler. Rogen and Goldberg also serve as writers.
We made a surprise thing! 8 eps of #Diabolical, an animated anthology in #TheBoys universe. I can't BELIEVE the stars who wrote it, you won't believe the stars in it. It's so fucking good, you guys, even crazier than #TheBoysTV. Coming early 2022. @TheBoysTV @PrimeVideo @SPTV https://t.co/6O8NAbCJii
— Eric Kripke (@therealKripke) December 6, 2021
“Surprise! We’re almost finished with eight episodes of our animated series, Diabolical,” executive producer Eric Kripke said in a statement. “We gathered together some incredible creators and we gave them one rule… just kidding, there’s no rules. They blew the doors off it, delivering eight completely unexpected, funny, shocking, gory, moist, emotional episodes. You think The Boys is nuts? Wait till you see this.”
“Ever since we saw the animated film The Animatrix, a series of short animated films set in the universe of The Matrix, we’ve wanted to rip it off. Today that dream has come true," according to Rogen and Goldberg.
Kripke, Rogen and Goldberg serve as executive producers on Diabolical, alongside Simon Racioppa, James Weaver, Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty, Ori Marmur, Ken F. Levin, Jason Netter, Garth Ennis, Darick Robertson, Michaela Starr, Loreli Alanís, Chris Prynoski, Shannon Prynoski and Ben Kalina.
The Boys is based on the best-selling comic of the same name by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. The original comics and series adaptation is an irreverent take on what happens when superheroes, who are as popular as celebrities, as influential as politicians and as revered as Gods, abuse their superpowers rather than use them for good.
It's the powerless against the super powerful as The Boys embark on a heroic quest to expose the truth about "The Seven", and their formidable Vought backing.
The main superhero characters Homelander, Queen Maeve, A-Train, The Deep and Starlight and others are clearly twisted and dark versions inspired by popular superheroes from other properties.
Season 3 of the Emmy-nominated series is reportedly in the works, though Amazon Prime Video has not yet confirmed an official release date.
Confirmed new cast members joining the series include Supernatural's Jensen Ackles as Soldier Boy, Laurie Holden as the Crimson Countess, Miles Gaston Villanueva as Supersonic, Sean Patrick Flanery as Gunpowder and Nick Weschler as Blue Hawk.
Another live-action spin-off of The Boys set at superhero college was previously announced.
Diabolical comes from Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television Studios, with Titmouse, Kripke Enterprises, Original Film and Point Grey Pictures.
The animated series will premiere on Amazon in 2022.