Long before Peacemaker star Frank Grillo began appearing as Rick Flag Sr. in the DCU, he appeared as Brock Rumlow/Crossbones in the MCU. Now, he has opened up about what makes James Gunn’s DCU better than Kevin Feige’s MCU.
In a conversation with The Morning After Pod in September 2025, Grillo said that the Russo brothers are “more comfortable with directing on scripts that are not totally complete.” He admitted that this practice is common in the industry, but also claimed that James Gunn’s DCU works differently. He explained:
Everything was done. All the scripts are done in advance. You don’t really need to fudge with it at all. He’s really got a clear concept, but he’s the boss. So, it’s not like James has a committee that he needs to answer to, right? It’s him and Peter Safran, whereas the Russo brothers have a whole bunch of people, right, that, you know, have their hand in the cookie jar. So, it’s a whole different way of movie making.
Grillo, whose favorite Marvel movie might surprise you, joined the MCU in 2016 and has made only three live-action appearances as Crossbones in the franchise. On the other hand, he began appearing as Rick Flag Sr. in the DCU in 2024, and as of this writing, he has already contributed to three projects.
What Frank Grillo’s Comment Tells Us About the Current MCU?
Frank Grillo’s comments reveal that Marvel directors often have to navigate multiple layers of oversight. It underscores the growing perception that the MCU has become a machine more than a creative playground. This aligns with criticism that Marvel projects feel overly managed, with scripts adjusted late in production and directors working under tight constraints.
Grillo’s observation suggests that Marvel’s collaborative but committee-driven structure hindered innovation at a time when audiences craved something new. This also fueled the superhero fatigue that plagued both the MCU and the DCU not so long ago.
It also reveals the pressure Marvel faces in sustaining a shared universe of this scale. Every film or series must fit into a larger puzzle, which can limit risk-taking and force safer choices. While this approach built Marvel’s empire, it was also the very thing holding it back.
Luckily, Kevin Feige plans to change that, and fans have already seen the change take shape in Thunderbolts*, although the movie’s box-office numbers were quite lackluster. Hopefully, Grillo’s comments will reach the right ears.
The Winning Ticket: Even James Gunn Knows What Makes DCU Different Than Marvel
James Gunn made movies for the MCU before he became the co-head of the DC Studios, alongside fellow producer Peter Safran. So, Gunn is also well aware of the approach Marvel has towards its projects. Despite the strong creative reins, his Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy is one of the highest-grossing superhero movies of the franchise.
Soon after Superman‘s release, Gunn sat down for a chat with Interview magazine and explained how DC plans to explore the individual stories of its superheroes instead of tying them all in an overarching narrative like the MCU. He said:
“There is not a New York City in our DCU. There is not a Los Angeles in our DCU. There is Metropolis, Evergreen and Coast City. It’s a different map. It’s a world in which some form of superheroes, which we call Metahumans, have existed for at least 300 years and they’ve been a part of our life.”
Gunn disagreed with the perception that the DCU is doing the same thing as the MCU. His vision for DCU is working so far, and fans are excited to see what else he has up his sleeves.
Do you think Marvel should try DC’s approach to new projects? Let us know in the comments.
Peacemaker is currently streaming on HBO Max.
Superman is available to rent on Apple TV.
The Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy is currently streaming on Disney+.
