“The Boys” boss hopes to cast Jared Padalecki after “Walker”: 'We have definitely talked about it'

The recent cancellation of "Walker" may be good news for anyone hoping to see the Winchester brothers reunite on "The Boys."

One network's loss could be another's gain.

Hours after Entertainment Weekly published quotes from Supernatural creator Eric Kripke about his high hopes for working with Jared Padalecki again on The Boys, the CW formally announced the cancellation of the actor's series Walker.

"Texts have been sent," Kripke told EW days before the cancellation news. "I feel like it would be a bummer to not have Jared on the show one way or another at this point, even if it's just the one-episode thing. He's been shooting Walker, but with that show wrapping up, maybe he'll have some time to come in and play with us. I would love it. We have definitely talked about it."

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Padalecki starred as Cordell Walker on the reimagining of Walker, Texas Ranger, which is currently airing its fourth season on the CW. The network made no mention of Walker season 5 when unveiling its fall 2024-25 slate, and Deadline Hollywood reported Monday that production was preemptively breaking down the sets in anticipation of a cancellation.

On Tuesday, Padalecki posted a statement on social media confirming the show's demise.

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"It is with a heavy heart that I share this news with you. #Walker will not be airing on [the] CW for a fifth season," he wrote. "It's a tough piece of news to be sure, but we are SO thankful for the #WalkerFamily that has been built, both on set and off. After four seasons together, we have felt the love and support from the entire #WalkerFamily, and we will be forever grateful."

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The CW said in a separate statement, "We want to thank the entire cast, crew, writers, directors and producers of Walker for their hard work and dedication over four incredible seasons. We also want to give a special thanks to star and executive producer Jared Padalecki, who has been a member of the CW family for over 20 years and was integral to some of the biggest hits on the network."

But perhaps this is all meant to be, especially if it means fulfilling fan wishes to reunite Padalecki with Jensen Ackles on The Boys.

The connection between Supernatural and The Boys runs deep. In addition to Kripke, who created both shows, a number of actors from the hit CW drama have popped up on the R-rated superhero satire. That runs the gamut from headliners like Ackles and Jeffrey Dean Morgan to deeper cuts like Nathan Mitchell (Kelvin on Supernatural, Black Noir on The Boys).

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Padalecki's Supernatural brother in arms, Ackles, notably followed Kripke over to The Boys, which is set in a world where superheroes are very real but act more like spoiled, rotten, out-of-control celebrities than noble protectors. Ackles appeared in season 3, in addition to a cameo in the live-action spinoff series Gen V, as Soldier Boy, the Captain America-esque supe from World War II.

Kripke previously told EW that he's purposefully leaving the door open for Ackles to return in the role as needed. "The old TV adage is like, never kill anyone unless you really, really have to," he said. "Never close a door, open a window. We'll all have to wait and see, but I can't imagine the series ending without Soldier Boy making another appearance."

Season 4 of The Boys, which will premiere with three episodes June 13 on Prime Video before moving to a weekly release schedule, is set to introduce Morgan in a mystery role. "He is an old colleague of Butcher's," Kripke tells EW, referring to Karl Urban's Billy Butcher. "I can tell you that he shares a lot of Butcher's concern and hatred of superheroes. It really came from the notion of everyone else in The Boys is always trying to pull Butcher back. So what would happen if he started working with someone who wants to push him forward?"

After that, Padalecki better Walker his way over to join his Supernatural boys in the supe fray.

[This article has been updated with confirmation of Walker's cancellation at the CW.]

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.