Frank Grillo Likes James Gunn’s DCU Better Than The MCU

Frank Grillo Likes James Gunn’s DCU Better Than The MCU

Frank Grillo once again opens up about liking James Gunn’s DCU better than the MCU.

In a recent interview with EW.com, Grillo, who plays Rick Flag Sr. in the Creature Commandos animated series, and the live-action version in Superman and Peacemaker Season 2, says he loves being a part of Gunn’s DCU:

“They’re very different. Marvel’s a different machine, and it’s great in its own right, but the thing I love about James’ and Peter’s DC is that it’s much more contained. It’s so much more personal and I really enjoy it better. I just love being part of something in the embryonic stage and being able to grow with it and watch it and flourish.”

frank grillo crossbones

Grillo disappointed with Marvel

Back in early 2023, Grillo also revealed that he was disappointed with Marvel which led to him joining Gunn at the DCU. The actor played Crossbones but wanted to see more from him in the Marvel Cinematic Universe:

“They never told a story [about Crossbones]. The mythology of the MCU and just what Marvel has in its pool of characters, it’s so deep. Crossbones was there for a minute, but he was supposed to be there longer, then they went the direction they did.

“I think Crossbones serves a purpose, but I think the interesting thing is that if you see how many people around the world have responded to Crossbones, and again, he’s on the screen for a very f–king short amount of time, I think there’s more there. I think there was more meat on the bone. I was disappointed, which is why I went over to DC.”

frank grillo james gunn dcu

Drops into Superman

Grillo also teased his Superman appearance and that he is bringing what they did in Creature Commandos with Rick Flag to his live-action version, as he told EW:

“With Creature Commandos and Peacemaker, Flag is a prominent figure in the stories. With Superman, he kind of just drops in.” 

“There was a rawness, and also a naïveté, about him in Creature Commandos, especially when he gets cornered by the Princess Ilana. I used that stuff as a template when doing the live action. I find that interesting, that the big strong muscular leader is also a vulnerable guy, and there are times where he doesn’t know what to do. I think that’s important. That’s what James is great at, creating these vulnerabilities in otherwise impenetrable superheroes.”

New episodes of Creature Commandos air on Thursdays on MAX. Superman flies into theaters on July 11, 2025. Peacemaker Season 2 premieres later in 2025.

About Will Harrigan

Will Harrigan writes about comics, movies, and pop culture for Cosmic Book News. He is a comic book and film enthusiast, with a particular interest in cosmic comics.

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