Frank Grillo to play Rick Flag Sr in Creature Commandos (UPDATED)

UPDATE: James Gunn has confirmed that Frank Grillo will be playing Rick Flag Sr. "across all media."

It looks as though we now know who Frank Grillo will be playing in the DC Universe. Say hello to the voice of Rick Flag Sr. in Creature Commandos.

Frank Grillo recently stated that he has signed on to a role in the DC Universe, moving on from his time in the MCU as Crossbones. At the time, he didn't reveal who he would be playing. Now, The Wrap is reporting that he will be playing Rick Flag Sr. in Creature Commandos.

DC Studios co-chair James Gunn confirmed during the launch event of the new universe that they are looking for actors to play the same roles across animation, live-action, and video games. Should the Creature Commandos make the jump to live-action, then Grillo would continue to play Rick Flag Sr. in those projects as well.

Speculation that Grillo had joined the DCU had been happening since he attended the Shazam: Fury of the Gods premiere, and then shared clippings about it on social media. It hasn't been confirmed he has a role as of yet, but speculation has also been high on Ron Perlman (Hellboy) having joined the DCU since he attended the same premiere.

Speaking with ComicBook.com in support of his new film One Day as a Lion, Grillo spoke about the move from the MCU to the DCU.

"[Marvel] never told a story [about Crossbones]. The mythology of the MCU and just what Marvel has in its pool of characters, it's so deep. Crossbones was there for a minute, but he was supposed to be there longer, then they went the direction they did," Grillo said Grillo. "I think Crossbones serves a purpose, but I think the interesting thing is that if you see how many people around the world have responded to Crossbones, and again, he's on the screen for a very f--king short amount of time, I think there's more there. I think there was more meat on the bone. I was disappointed, which is why I went over to DC."

No word on a release date as of yet for Creature Commandos.

IMAGE SOURCE: Shutterstock - Frank Grillo - Gennaro Leonardi Photos

4 comments

Kaingerc

April 12, 2023

FYI, Frank Grillo is 57 and and Joel Kinnaman (who played a version of Rick Flag Jr. in the Suicide Squad movies) is 43

and they don't look especially alike.

I mean sure, you can age Grillo up with makeup (they said that the people voicing the characters in the animated show will possibly also appear as the characters in live action), but still...

https://media.gq.com/photos...

https://flxt.tmsimg.com/ass...

AnonymousHero
April 12, 2023
Yeah, this definitely wasn't a thought I was considering. But I don't really have any feelings about it one way or the another. I know I'd utilize him differently, but I'd really need to think what character he could potentially be.
EDIT: If you take a look on social media, you can see James Gunn posting up Grillo and Flag, Sr. in animation and see their likeness. It's not really about Joel Kinnaman, even though Viola Davis is still Waller. Everybody isn't crossing over in to Gunn's DCU and Kinnaman's Flag is dead. Telling a story that is fresh in the new DCU with a different Rick Flag is something DC can successfully get away with with a post-Flashpoint scenario. This actually works as a good post-Flashpoint move.
1. Kaingerc
  April 12, 2023
  I'm not saying it's a bad casting per-se
  but if they start making references to the Suicide Squad movies it's going to get kinda weird if this connection gets brought up.
  1. AnonymousHero
    April 12, 2023
    I agree with ya. It has to be a clear cut separation being part of the new DCU. Doesn't make sense for past references to be made and it would be an error and poor storytelling if Gunn missed it. I don't think James is going to miss that important note. At least I hope not. I hope he gets the memo to be sure.

Kaingerc
April 12, 2023
FYI, Frank Grillo is 57 and and Joel Kinnaman (who played a version of Rick Flag Jr. in the Suicide Squad movies) is 43
and they don't look especially alike.
I mean sure, you can age Grillo up with makeup (they said that the people voicing the characters in the animated show will possibly also appear as the characters in live action), but still...
https://media.gq.com/photos...
https://flxt.tmsimg.com/ass...
1. AnonymousHero
  April 12, 2023
  Yeah, this definitely wasn't a thought I was considering. But I don't really have any feelings about it one way or the another. I know I'd utilize him differently, but I'd really need to think what character he could potentially be.
  EDIT: If you take a look on social media, you can see James Gunn posting up Grillo and Flag, Sr. in animation and see their likeness. It's not really about Joel Kinnaman, even though Viola Davis is still Waller. Everybody isn't crossing over in to Gunn's DCU and Kinnaman's Flag is dead. Telling a story that is fresh in the new DCU with a different Rick Flag is something DC can successfully get away with with a post-Flashpoint scenario. This actually works as a good post-Flashpoint move.
  1. Kaingerc
    April 12, 2023
    I'm not saying it's a bad casting per-se
    but if they start making references to the Suicide Squad movies it's going to get kinda weird if this connection gets brought up.
    1. AnonymousHero
      April 12, 2023
      I agree with ya. It has to be a clear cut separation being part of the new DCU. Doesn't make sense for past references to be made and it would be an error and poor storytelling if Gunn missed it. I don't think James is going to miss that important note. At least I hope not. I hope he gets the memo to be sure.

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Frank Grillo to play Rick Flag Sr in Creature Commandos (UPDATED)

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