Frank Grillois a man of action, both in front of and behind the cameras, even if it is by accident. The former Marvel Studios star, who played the villain Crossbones, is preparing to jump across the lane to become Rick Flag Sr. for theCreature Commandosanimated series, in order to continue playing ferocious characters.
With an enviable career in action films, Grillo has also starred in other major productions such asWarrior,Zero Dark Thirty,The Purge, and recently shared the screen with other Marvel stars Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek andRyan ReynoldsinHitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, where he was part of a fun incident with theDeadpoolprotagonist.
Speaking with Michael Rosenbaum on hisInside of You podcast, Grillo recalled shooting the action comedy, where he punched Reynolds in the face:
“I punched Ryan Reynolds in the face. There’s a scene where it’s Ryan [Reynolds], Sam [Jackson], and Selma [Hayek], and we have them tied up. Their hands are behind their back, and I’m coming in to interrogate him. I’m the detective, and he’s doing his thing when he yaps, you know, and I punch him in the face, right? So, I take a swing, and he goes, ‘Grillo, do not punch me in the face’. I go, ‘Brother, I’ve been boxing since I was 11. I’m not going to punch you in the face. Just don’t lean in.’ First take, I clip him right in the chin.”
Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguardpremiered in 2021 as a sequel to 2017’sHitman’s Bodyguard, where Reynolds plays a decaying bodyguard who must protect one of the world’s most dangerous hitman, played by Jackson.
Related:Frank Grillo Teases The Purge 6, Reveals That It Would End the Franchise
Who’s Rick Flag Sr? The Story Behind Frank Grillo’s Character in Creature Commandos
After various rumors and some clues left by the actor himself, it was confirmed a few weeks ago that Grillo will join James Gunn’s DCU in one of the first productions of the first phase of his long-term plan, entitledGods & Monsters.
The actor will become Rick Flag Sr. inCreature Commandos, and although it will be an animated series, the actors will also appear in any live-action format playing the same characters.
Fans are already more than familiar with Rick Flag, leader of the villainous team in bothSuicide SquadandThe Suicide Squad, making Joel Kinnaman one of the few actors to return in James Gunn’s soft reboot along with Margot Robbie and Viola Davis.
Flag’s father was a leader of the originalSuicide Squad’s initiative during World War II, and later became a member of Task Force X, so his skills and knowledge of managing groups will surely be important in developing his role in the new team.
TheCreature Commandosactually operated during World War II, so Rick Flag Sr.’s presence makes sense within the timeframe the series could take place in. Grillo will be joined in the series by Maria Bakalova as Ilana Rostovic, Indira Varma as The Bride, Zoe Chao as Nina Mazursky, Alan Tudyk as Dr. Phosphorus, David Harbour as Eric Frankenstein, and Sean Gunn as G.I. Robot.
