Frank Grillo, the actor who plays Crossbones in the MCU, has spoken several times about how he almost lost his role in Marvel
In the vast universe of superheroes, few actors have had the opportunity to jump from one cinematic universe to another with as much controversy as Frank Grillo. The actor who played Crossbones in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and now stars in the DC Comics Universe (DCU) shared in an interview with Comicbook.com his constant struggle with professional secrecy, a challenge that nearly cost him his career at Marvel.
Keeping secrets under lock and key
Grillo confessed that during his time at Marvel, he was on the verge of being fired on numerous occasions for revealing too much. “Unfortunately, I can’t say much without getting in trouble, so I’d better reserve the right to remain silent,” the actor admitted. Despite his outspokenness, this quality has put him in line with Marvel, which is known for keeping details of its projects strictly confidential.
After his stint at Marvel, Grillo joined the DCU, where he plays Rick Flag Sr. Commando Creaturesa series that mixes animation and real action. This project, created by James Gunn, is in the final stages of post-production and promises to be a revolution within the revamped DC universe. Grillo stars alongside the likes of David Harbour and Maria Bakalova in a series that follows a special operations team on secret missions ordered by Amanda Waller, played by Viola Davis.
The duality of roles
In addition to his participation in animation, Grillo has confirmed his role in live action in the second season of Peacemakerwhere his character will seek revenge against John Cena’s character for the events that happened in The Suicide Squad. This duality of roles shows Grillo’s versatility and his ability to adapt to different formats and narratives within the same universe.
Fans will get to see more of Grillo in the DCU, not just in Commando Creatures And Peacemakerbut also in future film productions. Rumors suggest that he could reappear in the first Superman DCU film, after being spotted in a set photo alongside the new Man of Steel, David Corenswet.
Commitment to continuity and innovation
In an effort to revitalize its content offering and attract new audiences, the DCU has decided to bet heavily on the innovation and continuity of its series and films. Frank Grillowho has already demonstrated his ability to maintain the interest of the public in previous roles, is a key element in this strategy. His experience and charisma add significant value to the ambitious project of Commando Creatureswhere his portrayal of Rick Flag Sr. promises to add depth and complexity to the plot.
On the other hand, the series joins the trend of exploring mixed formats, combining them animation and live actiona technique that has gained popularity in recent years for its ability to offer a unique and immersive visual experience. This methodology not only allows for greater flexibility in the representation of extraordinary settings and characters, but also opens the door to the exploration of more daring and creative narratives, setting a new standard in the superhero genre.
A path full of teachings
Reflecting on his career, Grillo criticizes the way his Crossbones character was handled by Marvel, noting a missed opportunity to develop one of Captain America’s main antagonists. The experience seems to have given him new perspectives on how to approach his career in the DC Universe, where his characters promise to have deeper and more meaningful development.
The expectation around Commando Creatures is high, especially after the first trailer debuted at San Diego Comic-Con in July. While the trailer has yet to be released to the public, the series, which consists of seven episodes all written by Gunn, will premiere on Max on December 5, marking a new chapter for both Grillo and the DCU.