The Boys How The Amazon Series Softened Frenchie

The Boys: How The Amazon Series Softened Frenchie

Amazon’s adaptation of The Boys makes a number of character changes from the Garth Ennis comic, and Frenchie is one of the biggest deviations.

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The Boys How The Amazon Series Softened Frenchie

The version of Frenchie seen in Amazon’s The Boys is a far cry from his comic counterpart. Originally an outlandish superhero comic book penned by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, The Boys is centered around a quintet of misfits who come together with the aim of knocking out of control super-powered vigilantes back down a peg. Led by the brash Brit known as Billy Butcher, the rest of the group consists of Mother’s Milk (M.M.), Hughie, The Female and Frenchie. Each member has their own distinct personality quirks and motivations, but together they form a dysfunctional, yet endearing, family unit.

There are plenty of changes made between the original printed incarnation of the Boys’ 5 main protagonists and those seen in the live-action TV series on Amazon Prime. Butcher is more or less identical personality-wise, but is lacking his faithful pet dog, Terror. M.M. is very close to the original character with the exception of some family and occupational tweaks, while Hughie is changed from a Scottish conspiracy nut to an American music geek. The Female has perhaps the biggest overhaul, gaining a new backstory and enhanced strength due to experimentation.

While The Female might’ve changed most drastically from page to screen, Frenchie runs her close for that accolade. In the original The Boys story, Frenchie is a highly erratic man known for his sudden and unflinching outbursts of violence. Readers first come across the character in a cafe, savagely beating up a group of men who insulted him, only for Frenchie’s rage to turn into loving recognition when he reunites with Butcher. Adding to comic-Frenchie’s more madcap persona, the character mostly insists on speaking French throughout, creating a communication barrier between he and the other Boys (as well as the audience), and making the character seem like more of an outsider.

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In comparison, Tomer Capon’s version of Frenchie has more of a balanced and normal personality. There are flashes of the comic character’s violent nature, but nothing that comes close to the same level of brutality, and the TV series’ Frenchie always seems to want to go back to a regular life, whereas the comic incarnation enjoyed the chaos of the Boys’ mission. However, Frenchie’s more emotional, loving side from the comics is hinted at when viewers learn the TV character has a tendency for going off-mission to follow his heart, rather than his head. Understandably, Frenchie speaks English on TV, albeit with an accent.

Frenchie’s occupation is also a shift from the comics, although some influence can still be felt. The specifics are somewhat vague, but Frenchie was originally written with a military background, with Butcher recruiting him soon after leaving the French forces. Instead, Tomer Capon’s character works as somewhat of an underground arms dealer to local criminals, so while the munitions expertise is still there, it’s a more off-the-books affair, which arguably better suits the Amazon series’ more amateur portrayal of the Boys.

Despite these alterations to the character once known as “The Frenchman,” some traits are followed more closely. Frenchie’s TV girlfriend, Cherie, was inspired by the comic character’s lover, Marie, although the two relationships are very different. Moreover, the live-action story continues the fascinating bond between Frenchie and The Female. In the comics, this duo are the two wildcards of the Boys – the most dangerous and unpredictable members of the group, but also the most handy in a fight. Because The Female is a mute, Frenchie is the one who connects to her most, and they develop a strong connection. On TV, Frenchie is the character who insists on helping The Female when the Boys find her, and he goes out of his way to foster friendship with this mysterious silent savage.

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Although some fans might’ve liked to see how the original crazed lunatic Frenchie would’ve looked in live-action, the changes serve to make a more well-rounded and human character that perhaps works better for television. Comic Frenchie is certainly fun, but his portrayal is more cartoonish and harder for viewers to root for, especially with The Female already occupying the ‘mysterious deadly assassin’ role. While Frenchie might have been softened a little for Amazon’s purposes, the alteration does make sense in terms of crafting a more 3-dimensional character.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/boys-amazon-frenchie-comic-comparison-origin-female-language/

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