Frank Grillo Rips Into Instagram "Jerkoffs" While Defending Former DC Studios Bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran
Frank Grillo has a message for the internet crowd celebrating the reported firing of James Gunn and Peter Safran from DC Studios, and he's got absolutely no patience for the "jerkoffs" running their mouths on Instagram.
The actor, who plays Rick Flag Sr. in the DC Universe, took to social media to publicly thank the former DC Studios co-CEOs following their departures. While plenty of fans have been arguing over Gunn and Safran's handling of DC, Grillo wanted people to know what it was actually like working with them.
For Grillo, the experience was nothing short of extraordinary. Gunn brought the actor into his DCU as Rick Flag Sr. in the animated series Creature Commandos before bringing him into live action with Peacemaker and Superman.
Grillo was also set to have a larger role in Man of Tomorrow, making him one of the recurring faces of Gunn's interconnected DC Universe. With Gunn and Safran reportedly out, the future of those plans is now uncertain.
That didn't stop Grillo from speaking his mind. In a video posted to social media, the actor said: "I feel like now that the dust has settled a bit, and every jerkoff with an Instagram handle has an opinion, I just wanted to publicly thank two of the finest men that I've met in this business, Peter Safran and James Gunn.
“Two of the most loyal guys. Two of the most passionate, loving and creative human beings that I've had the pleasure and the honour of getting to work with. Just an amazing experience with both of them, with everything from Creature Commandos to Peacemaker to Superman and now Man of Tomorrow."
Whatever people think about Gunn's DC movies or his decisions as studio chief, the Grillo has nothing but respect for the men who gave him a major role in their superhero universe.
He continued: "It's just been extraordinary. It's been a gift. These two gentlemen are an example of what class and what men are really capable of in Hollywood.
“Whether you like their movies or not is irrelevant to me, but on a personal level, there just aren't two better human beings that I've come across. I consider both of them dear, dear friends. Anyway, I want to thank you boys, and I look forward to what we're going to do next."
It's a classy tribute delivered with Grillo's usual no-bullshit attitude. While Gunn and Safran certainly have their critics, Grillo's experience with them was clearly a positive one. He's also got plenty of reasons to appreciate what they did for his career.
Grillo has spent years working in action movies, including numerous direct-to-digital releases, and his casting as Rick Flag Sr. gave him a prominent place in a major superhero franchise. Whether he gets to continue playing the character under new DC leadership remains to be seen.
What's interesting is how differently people are reacting to Gunn and Safran's exits. Hollywood can be a strange business. One filmmaker's roadblock is another actor's biggest supporter.
Whatever happens next at DC Studios, Grillo has made it clear where he stands. He's grateful for the opportunities Gunn and Safran gave him, and he's not about to let a bunch of angry Instagram commenters change his mind.