Frank Grillo, who plays Rick Flag Sr. in theDC Universe, opens up about why he prefers his role in James Gunn’s new superhero franchise in comparison to his time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While the MCU timeline has been around since 2008, some actors who appeared in various Marvel Studios productions have also ended up being part of DC’s live-action legacy, too, including the newly launched DCU timeline. One of them is Grillo, who debuted as Rick Flag Sr. through animation intheCreature CommandosTV show, after portraying Brock Rumlow, a.k.a. Crossbones, in the MCU.
During theTulsa Kingpanel atFAN EXPO Dallas, moderated and hosted byScreenRant’sown Joe Deckelmeier, Grillo looked back on his time with the MCU, while sharing why he is having a better time being part of the DCU franchise. After discussing the MCU’s Crossbones, Grillo explained what the upside is to playing a character like Flag Sr. in the DCU while working together with James Gunn:
Frank Grillo: Rick Flag Sr… It was unfortunate because Crossbones isn’t onscreen that much, and this is years ago. People love that character, and Marvel seems to have reused every other character except Crossbones. Now he’s popping up in Spider-Man comics and Daredevil comics because he’s a great villain,so I was expecting to have a lot of fun with it. But unfortunately, he perished kind of quickly.But I love working with James Gunn. I did the voice for Creature Commandos, and then I’m in Peacemaker, which is coming up in August. And before that, it’s Superman with Rick Flag. So, it’s different; it’s more of an adventure than the Marvel stuff was.
What Frank Grillo’s Comments Mean For The DC Universe
Looking at how Crossbones' time in the MCU came to a very sudden conclusion,it’s understandable why Grillo’s new experience with the DCU is something that he is having a better time with, as DC Studios is already utilizing Flag Sr. in more ways than one. With the interconnectivity between DCU live-action and animated projects, Flag Sr. is already becoming a staple character who continues various threads across the franchise. As Grillo’s Flag Sr. makes his live-action debut withSupermanin July, before returning inPeacemakerseason 2, 2025 is already a rich year for the character compared to Crossbones.
While the MCU could have done more things with Crossbones, the super-villain instead got killed off in his second movie,Captain America: Civil War. Even though Flag Sr. may be a more obscure character,the DCU is wasting no time in making him a recurring player with an impact on the franchise. That is why Grillo’s casting for the DCU timeline was one of the most exciting ones forCreature Commandosseason 1, as a talented actor gets another chance to be part of the comic book genre again.
Our Take On Frank Grillo’s DC Universe Comments
Image via Max
After hearing how Grillo is enjoying being Flag Sr. in the DCU, it will be fascinating to see howSupermanandPeacemakerseason 2utilize him, and also where DC Studios uses the character after 2025. With the many DCU movies and TV shows that are coming up,there are plenty of opportunities for Grillo’s character for years to come. While the MCU may not have been the ideal experience for him, theDCUhas thankfully given Grillo a lot to work with as Flag Sr.
Tulsa Kingcan be streamed on Paramount+.
DC Universe
The DC Universe is one of the biggest comic book franchises and often competes with Marvel. DC Comics started as National Allied Publications, founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson in 1935. Since then, the franchise has exploded with thousands of comic books, movies, TV shows, and video games. 2013 marked the beginning of the most recent iteration of the superheroes, with Zack Snyder introducing Henry Cavill as Superman. After several movies with mixed reviews, DC underwent a soft reboot under the helm of James Gunn and Peter Safran.
Creature Commandos
Cast
Creature Commandos follows the exploits of a secret team of incarcerated monsters recruited for perilous missions unsuitable for humans. Released in December 2024, the film explores themes of redemption and collaboration as the monstrous squad is tasked with handling threats that present dire challenges beyond human capability.
Superman
Superman (2025): Superman follows the dual life of Clark Kent, a journalist in Metropolis, as he endeavors to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. Set against a backdrop of personal discovery, the film explores his journey of identity as he navigates his existence in a complex world.
Peacemaker
Peacemaker is a television series expanding on the character from the film The Suicide Squad. Released in 2022, it follows the titular character, a determined anti-hero who upholds peace through extreme measures, as he confronts personal and external challenges in the aftermath of his previous mission.
