Frank Grillo says DC feels more secure than Marvel

Frank Grillo has opened up about his experiences working with both Marvel and DC, offering fans a rare behind-the-scenes perspective on how the two superhero giants operate.

The 60-year-old actor, best known for his action-packed roles, has had the unique opportunity of starring in both universes. Grillo portrayed Brock Rumlow (Crossbones) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and recently took on the role of Rick Flag Sr. in James Gunn’s DC Universe. He also appears in the highly anticipated Superman movie and the second season of Peacemaker.

Speaking to People at the Peacemaker Season 2 premiere, Grillo admitted that the two studios couldn’t feel more different in their production styles.

“It’s different. It’s not organized in the same way,” he revealed. “With DC, all the scripts are in front of you and you kind of have a real secure handle on what’s happening.”

By contrast, Grillo described Marvel’s approach as more unpredictable: “Marvel was a little fly by the seat of your pants. It was done very well, but for me, it’s a little scary to do it that way.”

While he acknowledged that both methods work, the actor confessed he prefers the security of DC’s structure. “There’s nothing wrong with it,” he said, “but I like knowing exactly what’s coming.”

Grillo is one of the few actors to have appeared in both Marvel and DC, joining the ranks of stars like Ryan Reynolds, Ben Affleck, and Michael Keaton. In Marvel, he played Brock Rumlow, a Hydra agent turned villain Crossbones, who clashed with Captain America in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Civil War.

In DC, he has stepped into the role of Rick Flag Sr., the father of Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flag Jr., and will reprise the role in Gunn’s Peacemaker series. His addition to the DCU signals a deeper dive into its expanding roster of gritty characters.

Playful take on fight scenes
When asked which cinematic universe gave him the toughest on-screen fights, the Boss Level star didn’t hold back. “I had no problem beating the crap out of either one of them,” Grillo joked. “I mean … I don’t know. They were both easy pickings.”

Known for his tough-guy persona and intense fight choreography, Grillo has often been cast as a soldier or enforcer, making him a natural fit for both Marvel and DC’s high-octane storylines.

With his dual presence in both superhero franchises, Grillo is cementing his legacy as one of Hollywood’s go-to action stars. His role in DC’s Superman and ongoing work in Peacemaker Season 2 are expected to expand his profile further among comic book fans.

As for whether he prefers Marvel or DC, the actor kept it diplomatic — though his comments make clear he appreciates DC’s structure a little more. For audiences, his ability to seamlessly shift between both worlds is proof that Frank Grillo is one of the few stars tough enough to handle two superhero universes at once.