It is a common mishap that humans make when we mistake an actors’ personality to be the same as the character they play on screen. It could be said for both good and bad (subjective) roles that the actor takes on. Take the late James Gandolphini for example, the man played the role of a mafia boss in the legendary hit HBO TV series, ‘The Sopranos’ for eight years, and it still feels so hard to separate Tony Soprano from Gandolphini.
And here’s the thing with Antony Starr who plays the psychotic supervillain from the Amazon Prime Video superhero series, “The Boys,” he is often “slightly offended” when people treat him as if he is a counterpart of his on screen character.
The Homelander star revealed that he knows that his fans get sometimes “shocked” when they meet him and realise he is not the same as the sadistic narcissist from the series. “Oh, my God, you’re not like him,” he commonly hears. Starr said he finds this reaction both humorous and a bit disconcerting, often responding with a pointed, “Yeah, he’s a psychopathic narcissist. So yeah, thanks.”
Antony Starr is acutely aware of the profound impact his powerful portrayal has had on audiences, yet he can't help but feel a bit miffed by the misunderstandings it has generated. His witty response highlights the absurdity of mistaking an actor for his character, particularly one as extreme as Homelander.
Portraying Homelander has greatly influenced how the public perceives Starr. The character's highly narcissistic and psychopathic traits are a stark contrast to Starr's real personality, yet fans often conflate the two.
In "The Boys," Homelander stands as the most terrifying antagonist, embodying the dark twist on the superhero genre. The show subverts the 'great hero' trope by presenting them as flawed and corrupt. Homelander epitomizes this, appearing heroic in public but being manipulative and ruthless behind the scenes. His extreme behaviors and lack of typical human interactions make him a fascinating yet deeply unlikeable character.
Starr's experiences and reactions have been well-documented in numerous interviews and articles. He frequently acknowledges the challenges actors face when their most famous roles overshadow their true identities. The intensity of playing Homelander has left such a strong impression on audiences that some struggle to see beyond the character. Starr's humorous yet slightly hurt responses to this confusion reveal just how different he is from Homelander.
Despite his newfound fame from "The Boys," Antony Starr was already a celebrated actor, particularly in New Zealand. He gained prominence for his dual roles as twins Van and Jethro West in the TV series "Outrageous Fortune." Starr's versatility as an actor is evident from his diverse international projects, showcasing characters vastly different from Homelander.
The success of both "The Boys" and Starr's performance has cemented his association with Homelander in the public eye. This strong link highlights the stark difference between Starr's real-life demeanor and Homelander's on-screen persona. While this contrast showcases his exceptional acting skills, it also presents a personal challenge for Starr.
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