The Boys showrunner explains that Zendaya reference

Zendaya’s name popped up in the most unexpected way during this week’s episode of The Boys, and showrunner Eric Kripke has now explained how it came about.

Episode 6 of The Boysfeatures heartbreak, twists, some casual murder, and shocks a plenty. So just a normal hour in the company of television’s most twisted superheroes.

Webweaver in Webweaver suit in The Boys.

But amid the action, Zendaya – of Dune,Challengers, and Euphoria fame – gets a mention during a particularly unusual sequence.

While speaking to Variety, showrunner Eric Kripke explained how and why it came about. So beware of The BoysSPOILERS AHEAD…

Zendaya and Tom Holland in Spider-Man movie

In Episode 6 of The Boys, Hughie dresses asWebweaverto infiltrateTek Knight’sparty, but soon finds himself in Knight’s dungeon, being forced into doing weird sex stuff.

Hughie tries to put a stop to the perversions, but doesn’t know Webweaver’s safe word, which is eventually revealed to be… Zendaya!

Zendaya in No Way Home and Tom Holland on the set of Spider-Man: Brand New Day

When asked if any other safe words were suggested in the writer’s room, Kripkesaid: “No, it was Anslem Richardson, who is the brilliant writer of the episode – he just put that in the first draft. I don’t think we ever discussed it, and he just threw in that his safe word was ‘Zendaya,’ and I just laughed my ass off about that.”

But there’s also a meta connection, as Webweaver is a Spider-Man parody – albeit a sick and twisted version – and Zendaya appeared in the recentSpider-Man trilogy, and dates Peter Parker actor Tom Holland in real-life.

Homelander on a poster for The Boys

Zendaya is barely in Spider-Man: Brand New Day and that’s a good thing

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Homelander in The Boys Season 4

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As Kripke put it when asked about that link: “Yeah! It’s the thing Spider-Man loves most.”

The Boys Season 4 Episodes 1-6 are streaming on Amazon Prime Video now. You can find out when the next episode drops with ourguide to The Boys Season 4’s release schedule.

We’ve also got guides onStarlight’s powers and origins,The Boys Season 4’s most shocking moments so far,whether Kimiko dies, andhow the Gen V timeline fits in. And keep tabs on new releases with our guide to theTV shows streaming this month.