Who directed the pilot episode of The Boys?

Dan Trachtenberg directed the pilot episode of The Boys. The episode is titled “The Name of the Game,” and it established the series’ dark, satirical take on superheroes, celebrity culture, and corporate power.

Trachtenberg was hired after Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, who had originally been attached as pilot directors, became unavailable because of scheduling conflicts. Rogen and Goldberg remained executive producers and continued to play an important role in developing the adaptation from Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson’s comic book.

The pilot introduces Hughie Campbell, whose girlfriend Robin is accidentally killed by the speedster A-Train. Billy Butcher then recruits Hughie into the Boys, revealing that Vought’s celebrated superheroes are often corrupt and dangerous behind their public images. The episode also follows Annie January as she joins The Seven as Starlight.

Trachtenberg later became known for directing 10 Cloverfield Lane and the feature film Prey. The pilot’s direction helped establish the show’s blend of brutal action, bleak comedy, and emotional character drama.