A Captain America star expresses disappointment over how his villainous character was used in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Crossbones actor Frank Grillo has opened up about his character’s brief role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Speaking with Moviefone about his new movie Lights Out, Grillo teased his forthcoming role as Rick Flag Sr. in James Gunn’s DC Universe, revealing that he is “going to be around for a while, and I wish I could tell you what I have coming up with them, but I can’t. But it’s exciting.” He then briefly discussed his time playing the villainous Crossbones in the MCU, expressing disappointment over how little he was used. “I was just with the Russo Brothers, Kevin Feige and Lou D’Esposito and it’s kind of like, “’I miss those guys, but you blew it.’ Now we’re going over here [at DC].”

Grillo first appeared as S.H.I.E.L.D./HYDRA agent Brock Rumlow in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014). He returned as the character’s villainous alter ego Crossbones in the movie’s 2016 sequel, Civil War, which depicted Rumlow’s death. Despite Crossbones’ shortlived tenure in the MCU, Grillo has reprised the role two further times as variants of Rumlow in Avengers: Endgame (2019) and the animated series What If…? (2021).

This isn’t the first time that Grillo has expressed his disappointment with Crossbones’ character arc in the MCU. In April 2023, the actor revealed that Crossbones was “supposed to be there longer” but Marvel Studios took the MCU in a different direction, leading to his character’s death. “I think there was more meat on the bone. I was disappointed, which is why I went over to DC,” he added.

Grillo is set to play a far more integral role in the DCU beginning with the Max animated series Creature Commandos. His character, Rick Flag. Sr., will serve as the leader of the titular team, which includes the following members: Eric Frankenstein (David Harbour), the Bride of Frankenstein (Indira Varma), Nina Mazursky (Zoe Chao), Doctor Phosphorus (Alan Tudyk), Weasel and G.I. Robot (both Sean Gunn). The voice cast also includes Maria Bakalova as Princess Ilana Rostovic, Steve Agee as John Economos, Viola Davis as Amanda Waller, and Anya Chalotra as Circe.

Grillo recently revealed that Creature Commandos will be a “hard R” show. ” “When we were doing it, I think one day it was me and David Harbour recording, I was on the ground. I had to stop in the recording studio, I had to go on the ground and laugh, that’s how funny and filthy it is,” he remarked. “It’s amazing, I’m so happy to be a part of it. I think that is what’s different is this guy’s the boss, and he’s grizzled, white on the sides, and white in the beard, and I’m leaning into all that.”

Creature Commandos is slated to premiere on Max in Fall 2024.