The Real Reason Why Antony Starr (Homelander) Is Starring In Those 'Fake' Mobile Game Ads

The internet is currently buzzing with confusion and criticism over the pervasive mobile game advertisements featuring actor Antony Starr, globally recognized as the terrifying superhero Homelander from Amazon's hit series *The Boys*. As of today, December 15, 2025, the ads for the game *Last War: Survival Game* have become inescapable, leading fans to question why a major star would lend his image to commercials widely considered to be misleading and "fake." The phenomenon has sparked a viral debate: Is this a calculated financial move, a bizarre new chapter in his career, or a subtle, meta-commentary on the nature of celebrity endorsement? The ads leverage Starr's star power and his recognizable, chilling American accent, creating a bizarre blend of high-profile celebrity and low-budget, often-cringey mobile game marketing.

Antony Starr: A Profile in Brief

Antony Starr is a highly respected New Zealand actor whose career spans over two decades in television and film, culminating in his career-defining role as the narcissistic, sociopathic superhero Homelander.

• Full Name: Antony Starr
• Date of Birth: October 25, 1975
• Place of Birth: Wellington, New Zealand
• Nationality: New Zealander
• Notable Roles: The dual roles of Jethro and Van West in the long-running New Zealand dramedy *Outrageous Fortune*; Lucas Hood in the Cinemax series *Banshee*; and Homelander in *The Boys*.
• Awards: He is a multi-award winner in New Zealand and Australia, including the AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for the 2012 Australian film *Wish You Were Here*.
• Current Projects: Starr continues to star as Homelander in *The Boys* and has appeared in the spin-offs *The Boys Presents: Diabolical* and *Gen V*.

The Anatomy of the 'Fake' Ad: Why Starr's Commercials Went Viral

The mobile game ads featuring Antony Starr are primarily for a strategy game called *Last War: Survival Game*. The reason they have generated such intense public reaction is not just Starr's involvement, but the nature of the advertisements themselves, which fall into a notorious category of "fake gameplay" commercials.

The Misleading Mobile Game Trend

Mobile game advertisements, particularly for the strategy and puzzle genres, have long been criticized for showing completely different gameplay footage than what the user actually experiences upon downloading the app. In the case of *Last War*, the ads often show a complex, action-packed role-playing or puzzle scenario that has little to do with the actual city-building and resource management mechanics of the final product. Antony Starr's presence legitimizes this misleading practice. He appears in a clean, well-lit setting, often speaking directly to the camera in his menacing, American-accented voice—the voice of Homelander—to promote the game. Many of the scripts are considered "cringey" by viewers, with Starr delivering lines that either dismiss the fake gameplay or aggressively promote the actual game as a superior experience. The use of his American accent, rather than his native New Zealand accent, is a deliberate choice to capitalize on the Homelander persona, blurring the line between the actor and the character.

The 'Sellout' Controversy and Financial Incentives

The public reaction has been swift and largely negative, with many fans expressing disappointment that an actor of Starr's caliber would engage in what they perceive as a clear "sellout." This sentiment is amplified by a couple of key factors that have become talking points across social media platforms like Reddit and YouTube.

The Mortal Kombat Contrast

One of the most frequently cited pieces of information fueling the controversy is the report that Antony Starr reportedly turned down the opportunity to voice Homelander in the popular fighting game *Mortal Kombat 1*. The contrast is stark: an actor turning down a high-profile, critically acclaimed video game franchise connected to his most famous role, only to accept an ad campaign for a generic, often-criticized mobile strategy game. This decision led many to assume the financial offer for the mobile game ad must have been astronomical.

The Power of the Misleading Ad Model

The simple truth behind Starr's involvement is the massive financial incentive. Companies that produce these mobile strategy games, which are often heavily monetized through "pay-to-win" mechanics and microtransactions, generate millions of dollars in revenue. By hiring a globally recognizable star like Antony Starr, the developer of *Last War* is able to:

1. Increase Conversion Rates: The star power is used to draw attention and encourage downloads from users who might otherwise scroll past.
2. Establish False Legitimacy: A famous face makes the game appear more credible, even if the ad is misleading.
3. Go Viral: The sheer absurdity of Homelander's actor promoting a low-quality mobile game generates free publicity, as evidenced by the countless reaction videos and articles.

Essentially, the cost of hiring Antony Starr is a negligible investment compared to the potential millions generated by the influx of new players, even if the public reaction is one of mockery or disappointment.

Is This a Homelander-Level Meta-Joke?

A small but vocal segment of the internet audience posits that Starr's participation is a form of meta-commentary, a performance art piece that mirrors the corporate, image-obsessed world of his character, Homelander. In *The Boys*, Homelander is the ultimate corporate product, a superhero whose entire existence is a carefully managed marketing campaign by Vought International. His endorsements, public appearances, and even his "heroic" actions are all calculated for maximum profit and public image. By appearing in a blatantly misleading and profit-driven ad campaign, Antony Starr, the actor, is ironically embodying the very "sellout" culture that his character Homelander critiques and yet simultaneously exploits. While it is more likely a straightforward financial decision, the sheer viral nature of the ads has created an unexpected layer of topical authority, linking the debate over misleading mobile advertising directly to one of the biggest stars in modern television. The controversy, therefore, serves as a powerful, albeit unintended, marketing tool for both the game and the enduring relevance of the actor's most famous role.