PEACEMAKER Star Frank Grillo Reveals the Biggest Difference Between Working for Marvel Studios and DC Studios
When it comes to comic book movies, few actors can say they’ve played in both Marvel and DC’s playgrounds, but Frank Grillo has done just that.
After his run in the MCU as Brock Rumlow, better known as Crossbones, the actor is now carving out a fresh path in the DCU as Rick Flag Sr. in Creature Commandos, Superman, and the upcoming Peacemaker Season 2.
With nearly as many appearances in the DCU in under a year as he had across five years at Marvel, Grillo has some unique perspective on the differences between the two studios.
During a recent appearance on The Morning After Pod, Grillo opened up about how Marvel and DC approach their productions, and the contrast is pretty striking.
Reflecting on his time working with Anthony and Joe Russo, he explained, "The Russo Brothers are, in my eyes, more comfortable with directing on scripts that are not totally complete," before adding that this method is "not uncommon" in the world of filmmaking.
When it comes to James Gunn, however, Grillo said the process couldn’t be more different. "Everything was done. All the scripts are done in advance. You don’t really need to fudge with it at all."
Grillo pointed out another major difference between the two powerhouses. "The Russos have a whole bunch of people that have their hand in the cookie jar," he said, comparing that to Gunn’s setup at DC Studios, where the filmmaker runs things with Peter Safran.
"It’s a whole different way of movie making. It’s not like James has a committee that he needs to answer to. It’s him and Peter Safran, whereas the Russo brothers have a whole bunch of people."
Of course, whether Gunn’s solo-driven approach is a strength or a weakness is up for debate. Gunn has been known to surround himself with familiar collaborators and actors he trusts, as seen with the return of Peacemaker and its cast.
Still, Grillo seems to be a fan of the DC boss’s style. "He’s really got a clear concept. His theory is that there’s no movie without a script. The script is going to be as tight as it can possibly be before you start shooting. When we look back 50 years, we’re going to look at this time and go, ‘Well, these guys created this genre.’ They’re all amazing. They just do it differently."
The DCU has already launched with solid entries like Superman, Creature Commandos, and Peacemaker season 2, all earning positive responses. But 2026 will be the true proving ground, as projects like Lanterns, Supergirl, and Clayface hit screens without Gunn’s direct creative touch.
Whether or not his streamlined approach to storytelling holds strong across the wider universe remains to be seen, but Grillo’s insight makes it clear, Marvel and DC may be in the same game, but they play it in very different ways.