Frank Grillo Praises Rick Flag Sr.’s DCU Story & Compares James Gunn’s Course of To The MCU

Frank Grillo, the actor portraying Rick Flag Sr. within the DC Universe, has not too long ago commented on the character’s journey within the franchise in addition to James Gunn’s artistic course of compared to that of the MCU. Grillo is among the actors who performed a job within the first official DCU undertaking, along with his final look coming within the ending of Creature Commandos. Now that Rick Flag Sr. has been established within the franchise, he’s set to seem in James Gunn’s Superman film. Grillo’s third DCU look in 12 months for the actor and his character will then are available Peacemaker season 2.

In an unique interview with Display Rant, Grillo was requested about his DCU position. Particularly, Grillo was questioned on how a lot of his position he is aware of upfront, contemplating his three appearances in 2025 alone. Grillo replied:

“All of it! For this reason James Gunn is the right man to do that. When he requested me to do the position in Creature Commandos, he despatched me each script, and never a phrase was modified. After which when he requested me to do Peacemaker, he despatched me each script, and never a phrase was modified. My position in Superman has so much to do with Peacemaker, so it’s connective tissue. And, after all, not a phrase has modified… However as a result of [the arc] can be always evolving, you have to be concerned in how the characters change much more… Gunn’s all in regards to the script – script, script, script.”

To make issues much more fascinating, Grillo unpromptedly in contrast Gunn’s course of within the DCU to the MCU and Kevin Feige’s dealing with of that franchise. Grillo appeared in three MCU motion pictures, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil Warfare, and Avengers: Endgame, stating:

“Whereas Marvel, they will begin a film – a part of it. They usually have a script, nevertheless it’s not likely a script. You begin in, after which midway by way of, you are like, ‘Uh oh…’ I personally favor scripts to be [fleshed out]… the best way James Gunn is operating DC is the antithesis to how Kevin Feige’s been operating Marvel, and it – to me – is a greater match.“

In line with Grillo, Gunn’s scripting course of is rather more thorough than Marvel’s. Based mostly on what is understood in regards to the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, this may occasionally have some benefit. Both approach, Grillo has clearly been completely crammed in relating to his DCU future.

The DCU Is Seemingly In Good Fingers

Regarding what Grillo’s feedback imply for the broader DCU, it proves that Gunn is the best man for the job. Placing the Marvel comparisons apart and searching on the DC Universe in a vacuum, it’s refreshing to see a filmmaker so devoted to the scriptwriting course of. The primary DCU announcement in January 2023 noticed Gunn claiming that “storytelling is all the time king. That is all that issues to us.” Based mostly on Grillo’s feedback, it appears as if that is translating nicely.

Gunn’s dedication to creating positive scripts, storylines, and overarching character appearances are recognized beforehand will solely profit the DCU. This manner, the interconnectivity of the franchise will thrive and really feel pure. Furthermore, particular person DCU installments will solely be improved by this, as all actors, producers, administrators, and different members of the crew shall be absolutely conscious of the story and the way it leads into the franchise’s future nicely forward of taking pictures.

The DCU Is Interesting To Hollywood Actors

What makes Grillo’s feedback much more fascinating to me is how they show some Hollywood performers might favor the DCU’s format to the MCU’s. Grillo is definitely one in every of these folks, stating that Gunn’s DCU course of is a greater match for superhero franchises than what the MCU is doing. This leads me to consider that extra actors may see the advantages of the DCU over the MCU, regardless of the latter’s continued dominance.

Whereas a rivalry between the 2 has all the time been depicted as an all-out warfare on-line, the storytelling strengths of 1 will solely profit the opposite. This might merely be one other approach of that taking place, be it Marvel attempting more durable to persuade larger actors to affix the franchise sooner or later or switching the screenwriting course of to align extra with its competitors. On this approach, the DC Universe‘s success can solely assist Marvel, and vice versa.