Key Takeaways
- Frank Grillo left the MCU and joined the DC Universe to play a more prominent role as Rick Flag Sr.
- Grillo believes Marvel is in trouble because they got “way over their skis.”
- Grillo’s Crossbones in the MCU lacked depth and development, while Rick Flag Sr. has multiple appearances and a promising role in the DCU.
One actor whose time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ended just joined James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe. The actor made a surprising claim about Marvel in a recent interview.
Gunn’s first project in the restructured DCU is the animated TV series Creature Commandos. The anticipated project will premiere next month. Gunn and the cast members have done several interviews to promote the series. One of them used to appear in the MCU and shared his experience working with rival companies. Additionally, the actor made shocking remarks about Marvel.
Related
Upcoming Marvel Series Is ‘One of The Most Violent Things’ In MCU
One of the upcoming Marvel TV series is reportedly among the “most violent things” that MCU aired.
Frank Grillo was part of the MCU, appearing as Brock Rumlow, aka Crossbones, in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Captain America: Civil War (2016) and Avengers: Endgame (2019). He also reprised the character in MCU’s animated action-adventure series What If… ? However, Grillo has jumped ship and is now part of the new DCU. He will make his debut as Rick Flag Sr. in the upcoming Creature Commandos. When asked about the differences between Marvel and DC, he claimed the former was in “trouble a little bit.” “Well, that’s a great question, given how the other guys have been in trouble a little bit. Because they got, I think, way over their skis, so to speak,” he told CinemaBlend. ” And I also think what James and Peter Safran are doing, where they’re hiring one actor to do live action and to do animation – the voice work – it creates a cohesiveness, and an understanding of the character.”
Additionally, he mentioned that Gunn knew how to use the characters in the story so the viewers wouldn’t feel the need to ask why they were seeing those characters. Grillo said DC had a “different approach” and it seemed to work out better for him. “We’ll see how it works out. But I feel a difference in it,” he continued. He also revisited his role in the MCU and why he felt his character in the DCU was more promising. “I was a secondary character, and maybe a tertiary character, in that world. But being in it, and watching what’s evolving, I think the sky’s the limit for DC. I really do,” Grillo added.
Grillo is right to consider his role, Rumlow, as the secondary antagonist in Captain America. Although the character was promising, he was immediately killed off in Captain America: Civil War, but did a cameo in an alternate universe in Avengers: Endgame. Rumlow, aka Crossbones, gained superhuman abilities and strength due to his specialized body armor, weaponized gauntlets and cybernetic enhancements. The supervillain was a match to Captain America, but his character lacked depth in his appearances in the MCU, which was probably why Grillo wasn’t very impressed with it.
Meanwhile, his character in the DCU, Rick Flag Sr., is set to be an important supporting character. This is evident in his appearances in multiple projects in the DC Universe. Aside from the animated TV series, Grillo will portray the same character in the live-action movie Superman starring David Corensweet, which will hit theaters in July 2025. He will also join John Cena in Peacemaker Season 2, which will debut in August 2025. Apparently, Grillo’s character in the DCU has a more extensive presence, which is probably why he prefers DC to Marvel.
More
James Gunn Seemingly Confirms New Cast Member In DCU’s Batman
James Gunn confirmed they had already cast one of the recurring villains in the Batman comics.
Source: CinemaBlend