Frank Grillo talks about what separates him from other superhero movie actors in Marvel and DC films.

Actor Frank Grillo discusses his interest in playing diverse roles apart from his work in Marvel and DC films.

Grillo portrays Crossbones in the MCU and Rick Flag Sr. in the upcoming DCU series Creature Commandos. While Grillo has found success in diverse roles, he revealed that he occasionally finds himself yearning for the more interesting and diverse scripts his Marvel counterparts such as Mark Ruffalo receive. As a character actor, Grillo says most of the scripts he receives are identical, so he has to work a bit harder to find something that stands out.

“The other thing is, in my career, I’m not Mark Ruffalo,” Grillo said, per ComicBook.com. “He gets offered all kinds of interesting stuff, and I also get some of that — but I have to sift through what I get offered and make a decision on how I can make it good, if that makes sense. Often it’s just the same script over and over, or it’s my job to make it interesting.”

Grillo’s praise for Mark Ruffalo’s non-MCU filmography stems from Ruffalo’s roles in films such as Zodiac, Spotlight, Foxcatcher and Poor Things. Ruffalo received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Poor Things.

Frank Grillo Wants to Show Her Versatility Despite Typecasting

Frank Grillo is known for his roles in independent cinema as well as blockbusters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as an established character actor. Grillo went on to emphasize the importance of collaborating with visionary filmmakers and delving into projects that transcend stereotypes, showcasing his versatility beyond action-packed roles.

Grillo stated, “Whatever performances that I’ve had that have stuck out, it’s because of the filmmaker. If a filmmaker has a script that is top-tier, and that’s what you look for. I could jump on a movie like Lamborghini and have to be a middle-aged, Italian guy, and I love that. I’m about to do a film based on a memoir, a really beautifully written memoir, and I’m friends with the writer now, who’s very similar to me in look and stuff. I’m really excited to go and explore what this guy’s journey was, and what his memoir is about, and have nothing to do with my fists, or vulgarity, or the dark subculture of humanity.”

Grillo highlighted his role in the upcoming film Light’s Out. The actor acknowledged the prevalence of being typecast as a tough guy but stressed that his identity as a father and his varied interests inform his approach to acting. Despite industry perceptions, Grillo asserts his ability to tackle both action-oriented and dramatic roles, challenging himself to stand out among rare actors who possess versatility.

Creature Commandos will be available to stream on Max this fall.