MCU Star Frank Grillo Says Marvel ‘Almost Fired’ Him Several Times

MCU Star Frank Grillo Says Marvel 'Almost Fired' Him Several Times

As a seasoned movie reviewer who’s seen his fair share of Hollywood drama, I can’t help but appreciate Frank Grillo‘s resilience and versatility in the ever-expanding universe of superhero films. His tenure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was fraught with near-misses due to his penchant for spilling beans, earning him a reputation as the MCU’s resident loose cannon – a title he seems to share with his on-screen counterpart, Tom Holland.


Frank Grillo, known for portraying Crossbones in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), came close to being dismissed by Marvel Studios on several occasions due to his tendency to disclose plot details and spoilers during his time with the franchise. Grillo first appeared in the MCU as Brock Rumlow, a Hydra sleeper agent, in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. After an intense encounter with Captain America that involved a building being destroyed, Rumlow surprisingly reappeared (similar to Palpatine) in Captain America: Civil War, this time adopting a costume based on his comic book character and assuming the role of Crossbones. Given the massive scale of the MCU and the constant hunger of scoopers, paparazzi, and fans for insider information, maintaining secrecy is crucial to Marvel Studios, and it almost led to Grillo’s termination.

Frank Grillo recently shared insights with ComicBook.com regarding his latest venture in the DC Universe. He will provide the voice for Rick Flag Snr in the upcoming animated series titled Creature Commandos, marking the start of a new chapter in the DC Universe. Subsequently, he is set to transition to live-action roles in the second season of Peacemaker and eventually Superman. When asked about these projects, Grillo remained tight-lipped, recalling a past incident where he almost lost his job due to revealing MCU spoilers. The actor stated: “I’m not saying much… I learned my lesson about spoilers.

“You know, unfortunately, there’s nothing I can really say that wouldn’t get me in trouble.

To put it simply, I find myself in a position where I need to say, “I invoke my Fifth Amendment rights,” which I struggle with. Marvel Studios came close to letting me go 36 times due to my lack of knowledge. I value honesty above all and sometimes, perhaps too much, resort to admitting when I don’t know something. However, I’ve been cautioned about this.

In the discussion that followed, fans found it hard not to draw parallels between Frank Grillo’s tendency to let slip details (despite his MCU co-stars and screen time being distinct) and Tom Holland, the Spider-Man actor. Known for his careless handling of spoilers, Holland inadvertently revealed the poster for Avengers: Infinity War on Instagram Live, disclosing that his version of Spider-Man would receive a trilogy within the MCU, and hinting that Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield would appear in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Given that Grillo almost lost his job over some minor Crossbones spoilers, one might wonder how Holland remains employed under such circumstances.

Frank Grillo Would Love to Return to the MCU

MCU Star Frank Grillo Says Marvel 'Almost Fired' Him Several TimesMCU Star Frank Grillo Says Marvel 'Almost Fired' Him Several TimesMCU Star Frank Grillo Says Marvel 'Almost Fired' Him Several TimesMCU Star Frank Grillo Says Marvel 'Almost Fired' Him Several Times

In “Captain America: Civil War,” Crossbones suffered a grisly demise. With an explosive vest attached to his body, Crossbones was twisted into a grotesque form and hurled skyward by Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), aiming to minimize harm to innocent bystanders. Before the release of “Avengers: Endgame,” Grillo casually hinted at his upcoming MCU reappearance, stating that he doesn’t worry about spoilers since he won’t be starring in another Marvel film again.

In our chat, Grillo pondered over his previous statements, confessing that he has grown and evolved as an individual. If Kevin Feige were to reach out about him reprising the role of Crossbones, Grillo expressed his eagerness to do so. He put it simply: “I’d be more than happy to return.

Looking back on my life journey, I’ve come to realize that much of what I once believed was true, has shifted as I’ve grown older. If given the chance, I would gladly revisit those past experiences. And let me tell you, I am thoroughly enjoying my time with DC, working alongside James Gunn and Peter Safran, who have provided me with an incredible opportunity.

Creature Commandos
debuts on Max on December 5, 2024.

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2024-09-20 17:31