MCU and Creature Commandos star Frank Grillo explains why he enjoys DC "better" than Marvel
Frank Grillo, best known for playing Brock Rumlow or Crossbones in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), recently opened up about his shift to DC Studios. Currently voicing Rick Flag Sr. in DC's animated series Creature Commandos, the actor shared with Entertainment Weekly why he prefers working with DC under James Gunn and Peter Safran, compared to his previous Marvel experiences.
Frank Grillo described his new venture as being part of something in its "embryonic stage," highlighting the creative opportunities this brings. In the EW interview dated December 26, 2024, he explained,
"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."
Frank Grillo talks about developing Rick Flag Sr. in DC's interconnected universe
Creature Commandos premiered as the first animated series in Gunn and Safran’s revamped DC Universe. In the show, Grillo’s character, Rick Flag Sr., is an experienced yet vulnerable military leader tasked with overseeing a group of misfit monsters on a dangerous mission.
The story is set in the fictional nation of Pokolistan, where Flag works under the directives of Amanda Waller, voiced by Viola Davis.
Grillo spoke about the complexity of his character with Entertainment Weekly, saying,
"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 [Gunn] is great at, creating these vulnerabilities in otherwise impenetrable superheroes."
The actor revealed that the animated series serves as a foundation for Flag Sr.’s live-action appearances, which include the second season of Peacemaker and the upcoming Superman movie, both slated for release in 2025.
Frank Grillo also highlighted the unique approach to voice acting taken in Creature Commandos. He recorded many of his scenes alongside David Harbour, who voices Eric Frankenstein. The two characters share a deep bond, and Grillo noted that working together enhanced the authenticity and intensity of their interactions.
This recording method contrasts with the typical isolation of modern animation voice work, offering a more collaborative process.
Flag Sr.’s connection with the monsters, particularly Frankenstein, ties into his own struggles with grief and darkness. Talking about this, Grillo said:
"I think all of us are monsters inside... Just because Flag doesn’t have that on the exterior, it doesn’t mean it’s not going on inside. Flag’s a dark guy, and I think that’s why he can relate to these creatures."
While Frank Grillo's portrayal of Rick Flag Sr. transitions seamlessly from animation to live-action, certain limitations arose during production. The actor was concurrently filming Tulsa King while working on Peacemaker and Superman, which restricted his ability to fully match the animated character’s appearance.
"Unfortunately, we shot some of the Peacemaker and Superman while I was in the middle of shooting Tulsa King, so we were limited to what we could do with my hair... I had every intention of dying it white and slicing it up, but I just couldn’t do it," the actor said.
Despite these constraints, Grillo expressed his excitement about being part of DC’s evolving universe, as he values the creative potential in helping shape the interconnected stories that Gunn and Safran are building.
As the inaugural project of the new DC Universe, Creature Commandos is currently streaming on Max. New episodes drop every Thursday, leading up to the season finale on January 9, 2025. Meanwhile, Frank Grillo is also reprising his role as Rick Flag Sr. in Peacemaker season 2 and Superman, both set to premiere in 2025.
