Spoiler Alert: This article contains major plot details for The Boys Season 5.
The wait is finally over for fans wondering about Jared Padalecki‘s role in the final season of “The Boys.” The former “Supernatural” star accidentally let the secret slip during a fan convention in Belgium, confirming he plays the original speedster of The Seven. Showrunner Eric Kripke has now shared all the details about this “coke-blowing scumbag” character who is set to shake things up in Episode 5.
Padalecki’s casting brings a mini “Supernatural” reunion to the Prime Video series. He joins his former co-stars Jensen Ackles (Soldier Boy) and Misha Collins (in an unnamed role) for what Kripke calls a special moment that fans have wanted to see for years. The character, Mister Marathon, is not just a quick cameo but a meaningful addition to the show’s final fight.
Who Is Mister Marathon? The Original Seven Speedster
Mister Marathon was the original speedster superhero in The Seven before being replaced by A-Train. In the comics, the character dies before the events of the first issue, but the TV series has kept him alive. The show has mentioned Mister Marathon several times in past seasons through characters like A-Train and Lamplighter.
Lamplighter previously recalled sneaking college girls into Seven Tower with Mister Marathon back in Season 2. A-Train also talked about his predecessor, noting that Mister Marathon’s speed decreased as he got older, which led to his replacement. Now, with A-Train’s death in the Season 5 premiere at Homelander’s hands, the door has opened for the original speedster to return.
Kripke describes Mister Marathon as a “coke-blowing scumbag” and someone far from a moral character. This marks a big change for Padalecki, who usually plays good-hearted roles like Sam Winchester in “Supernatural” and Cordell Walker in “Walker.” The showrunner wanted to have fun with this casting choice.
“Part of me just loved the idea of him playing a coke-blowing scumbag because he’s such a good guy both in real life and in all the roles he plays. I just wanted him to be really sleazy, and he crushed it.” – Eric Kripke, Showrunner
How Jared Padalecki Landed the Role
Kripke had wanted to bring Padalecki onto “The Boys” for several years. The timing never worked because Padalecki was busy filming “Walker” for The CW. Once that show ended, Kripke saw his chance and made the move.
The idea to cast Padalecki as Mister Marathon came from Judalina Neira, a writer in the Season 5 writers’ room. Kripke immediately liked the idea because it placed Padalecki directly into the show’s existing history. Mister Marathon used to work at Seven Tower and was part of the team’s past, making him a natural fit for the current storyline.
Kripke made it clear from the start that he wanted more than just a quick cameo for Padalecki. He pushed for a role with real weight that would actually affect the story. The showrunner succeeded in getting a “meaty, fun role that really turns the story.”
Mister Marathon’s Powers and What He Brings to Season 5
As a speedster, Mister Marathon was once known as the “World’s Fastest Man.” His power is super speed, similar to A-Train’s ability. However, age has slowed him down from his peak performance days. The show frames him as a parody of classic comic book speedsters like The Flash, specifically the Jay Garrick version.
His value in Season 5 goes beyond just his speed powers. Mister Marathon serves as a “living archive” of Vought’s earliest supe experiments. He knows the company’s secrets and history better than almost anyone alive. This knowledge makes him very valuable to both Homelander and Soldier Boy, who are searching for V1, the original and stronger version of Compound V.
The character’s alliances remain unclear. He could join Homelander’s side, help Billy Butcher and The Boys, or simply look out for himself. Given Kripke’s description of him as a “douchebag,” Mister Marathon likely will not be a hero in this story.
The Supernatural Reunion: Episode 5 Details
Padalecki will make his first appearance as Mister Marathon in Episode 5 of Season 5. This episode also features Ackles as Soldier Boy and Collins in his mystery role, creating a full “Supernatural” reunion on screen. The episode drops on April 29 on Prime Video.
Four episodes of Season 5 are already available to stream. The season premiered on April 8 with its first two episodes, followed by weekly releases. The series finale is scheduled for May 20. Episode 5 sits right in the middle of this final run, setting up key moments for the remaining episodes.
Kripke promises that fans will see the chemistry between these three actors even though they are playing completely different characters. “You can still feel the chemistry,” he said. The showrunner explained that once they decided on Padalecki’s casting, they built the Jared-Jensen storyline around it because “that’s what people wanna see.”
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What to Expect When Mister Marathon Arrives
The Season 5 trailer already showed a brief moment of Soldier Boy punching Mister Marathon. This suggests their meeting will not be friendly. With both characters having connections to Vought’s past, their conflict could reveal important information about the company’s darkest secrets.
Mister Marathon’s return raises several questions. Will Vought recruit him again to fill the spot left by A-Train’s death? Is Homelander looking for his knowledge about V1? Could Soldier Boy have a personal score to settle with the former Seven member? The answers will come in Episode 5.
Kripke confirmed that Padalecki “crushed it” in the role, delivering exactly the sleazy, immoral performance the show needed. For viewers who only know Padalecki as the heroic Sam Winchester, this version of the actor will come as a surprise. The role allows him to show a different side of his acting abilities.
The episode will be available to stream on Prime Video for audiences worldwide. Viewers in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, India, and other regions can watch it starting April 29. Previous seasons are also available on the platform for anyone who needs to catch up before the final episodes.
Also Read: Hacks Season 5 Episode 4 Release Date, Time and Double Episode Streaming Details
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