Summary
One actor whose time in theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)ended just joined James Gunn and Peter Safran’sDC Universe. The actor made a surprising claim about Marvel in a recent interview.
Gunn’s first project in the restructuredDCUis the animated TV seriesCreature 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 theMCUand shared his experience working with rival companies. Additionally, the actor made shocking remarks about Marvel.
Frank Grillo was part of the MCU, appearing as Brock Rumlow, aka Crossbones, inCaptain America: The Winter Soldier(2014),Captain America: Civil War(2016) andAvengers: Endgame(2019). He also reprised the character in MCU’s animated action-adventure seriesWhat 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 upcomingCreature 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 inCaptain America. Although the character was promising, he was immediately killed off inCaptain America: Civil War, but did a cameo in an alternate universe inAvengers: 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 theDC Universe. Aside from the animated TV series, Grillo will portray the same character in the live-action movieSupermanstarring David Corensweet, which will hit theaters in July 2025. He will also join John Cena inPeacemakerSeason 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.
