'The Boys' Season 4: Why was Webweaver's safe word 'Zendaya'? Bizarre Tom Holland theory rocks Internet

Episode 4 hinted at Webweaver's shady dealings, continuing 'The Boys' tradition of satirizing clean-cut superheroes from comics and movies
UPDATED JUL 5, 2024
Webweaver's safeword, 'Zendaya', seems to be a deliberate nod by the creators in 'The Boys'  (Instagram/@zendaya, X/@marvelspiderBR)
Webweaver's safeword, 'Zendaya', seems to be a deliberate nod by the creators in 'The Boys' (Instagram/@zendaya, X/@marvelspiderBR)

Contains spoilers and speculations for 'The Boys' Season 4 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'The Boys' Season 4 Episode 6, titled 'Dirty Business,' aired on Thursday, July 4 on Prime Video. In this episode, viewers finally get a good look at Webweaver, the show’s parody of Spider-Man.

Earlier hints in Episode 4 revealed Webweaver’s shady dealings, adding to the show’s tradition of mocking clean-cut superhero types found in popular comics and films.

Fans are curious if Zendaya makes a cameo appearance in Season 4 and why her name serves as Webweaver's safeword.

After teasing Webweaver in previous seasons, the latest episode features him in action. Hughie uses his costume to sneak into Tek Knight’s party, aiming to uncover Homelander and Sister Sage’s plans.

Who is Webweaver in 'The Boys'?

Dan Mousseau plays as Webweaver in 'The Boys' (@primevideo)
Dan Mousseau plays as Webweaver in 'The Boys' (@primevideo)

In 'The Boys' Season 4, Episode 6, Webweaver is introduced as a troubled supe associated with Vought and The Seven. Portrayed by Dan Mousseau, the character is depicted as a drug addict with distinctive sexual preferences.

Despite his insider knowledge at Vought, he's easily bribed for drugs, making him a reliable informant for characters like Butcher and Mother’s Milk.

Physically, Webweaver has scruffy brown hair and wears a distinctive black and yellow suit with spider-like features.

His character in 'The Boys' comics, known as the 'Thwipster', remains mysterious and unaffiliated with mainstream superhero teams, sporting a red and blue suit similar to Marvel’s Spider-Man.

Why was Webweaver’s safe word ‘Zendaya’?

Hughie disguised as Webweaver in a still from 'The Boys' (@primevideo)
A still from 'The Boys' (@primevideo)

In 'The Boys,' Webweaver's safeword, 'Zendaya', appears to be a deliberate nod by the creators.

The name 'Webweaver' itself references Spider-Man, and mentioning Zendaya likely alludes to her role as the love interest of Tom Holland's Spider-Man in the MCU.

Tom Holland had also previously mentioned in a 2021 Buzzfeed Celeb interview that he's a fan of 'The Boys.'

Whether Holland or Zendaya will acknowledge the name drop in the episode or make appearances in the series remains uncertain.

'The Boys' Zendaya reference sends the internet into a frenzy 

Many fans took to X to share their reactions upon discovering that 'Zendaya' was Webweaver's safeword.

One fan wrote, "WEB WEAVER’S (SPIDER-MAN KNOCK OFF) SAFE WORD BEING ZENDAYA TOOK ME OUT," to which a fan replied, "RIGHT…I took a second to process it but I couldn’t help but giggle."



 



 

Referencing Tom Holland, one fan commented, "What's crazy is Tom loves the show." 



 

Praising the scene, one fan wrote, "That shit cracked me up what a way to end that fake spider man sequence." Another fan said, "Imagine Zendaya catches light on this news."



 



 

'The Boys' Season 4 trailer



 

6 episodes of 'The Boys' are available to stream on Prime Video.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

A shocking mid-episode transformation rewrites 'The Beauty', quietly replacing Rebecca Hall, and changing the series' direction almost instantly
1 hour ago
Set to premiere on January 26, 'American Idol' will be hosted by Ryan Seacrest, along with judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie
1 hour ago
The 'One Chicago' trio of shows previously released two crossover events back in 2019 and 2025. The next crossover episode will take place in March.
2 hours ago
The upcoming Season 3 of 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' is based on the third Rick Riordan novel, 'The Titan's Curse.'
3 hours ago
The prequel to the 'Legally Blonde' movies, 'Elle', stars Lexi Minetree, Gabrielle Policano, Chandler Kinney, and Zac Looker in key roles
4 hours ago
Season 2 finale ended with a confirmation that season 3 will return later this year
15 hours ago
Jennifer Morrison gets a quick glimpse as First Lady Jenny Hagan in the official trailer
17 hours ago
The hit Netflix show premiered in 2020 and ran three seasons before Netflix shelved the fourth
18 hours ago
Rob Perlman was seen in an unnamed role as a Super Mutant on 'Fallout' Season 2 Episode 6, along with The Ghoul, played by Walton Goggins.
18 hours ago
William Shatner's comments come afterStephen Miller, the White House Chief of Staff's criticism of the show
19 hours ago