Frank Grillo, best known for playing Frank Grillo as Crossbones in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has opened up about his time as Brock Rumlow. He currently stars as Rick Flag Sr. in James Gunn’s DC Universe through Peacemaker Season 2. Even so, his Marvel legacy continues to resonate with fans worldwide..
Grillo’s reflections reveal not only his pride in the role but also his awareness of how the MCU evolves with each new phase and generation.
Frank Grillo as Crossbones in His MCU Role
Grillo first stepped into the MCU with Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014). In fact, the film revealed Rumlow as a HYDRA agent hidden within S.H.I.E.L.D. Moreover, his portrayal of Frank Grillo as Crossbones as a grounded, ruthless antagonist quickly made an impression on audiences.
He reprised the role in Captain America: Civil War (2016). In the film, Crossbones met his fate during a high-stakes battle, which cemented the character’s place in Marvel history. Later on, Grillo appeared again in Avengers: Endgame (2019). In addition, he lent his voice to Marvel’s animated series What If…? (2021), where the character was explored through alternative storylines.
Frank Grillo on His MCU Role
Reflecting on his portrayal, Grillo admitted:’
“Crossbones never manifested into what it should have. But Crossbones was cool because he wasn’t a superhero, he was just a bad mofo, and he got his licks in.”
Despite limited screen time, the role left a lasting impact. As Grillo revealed:
“I cannot go a day without someone calling me ‘Crossbones’ in public. I’m like, Really? That’s so fucking long ago, and it’s not that much screen time. So it is interesting that it’s becoming a legacy thing.”
His words highlight how even smaller roles can create lasting impressions, demonstrating the cultural influence of the MCU and its characters.
Thoughts on Recasting Frank Grillo as Crossbones
Although speculation about reboots and comic-inspired storylines persists, Grillo himself does not plan to return to the role. Instead, he shared his hopes for a fresh take:
“I hope they can get a younger Crossbones.”
His comments suggest he believes the character could benefit from new energy and perspective. While he cherishes the role, Frank Grillo as Crossbones acknowledges that the MCU is evolving and that younger actors may bring new dimensions to the character’s story.
Recasting would allow Marvel to expand the character’s presence in future phases, potentially creating new connections with existing heroes and villains.
Frank Grillo’s Favorite MCU Movie
Beyond his personal journey, Grillo shared his top Marvel pick:
“I consider The Winter Soldier to be the best Marvel movie.”
Grillo’s Thoughts on Marvel Studios
He reflected on Marvel’s continued growth and impact:
“I love them over at Marvel, and it’s so great to see how successful everybody’s become, but I hope that they can get back to the glory of where they were and not just be spectacles that are there to make a lot of money from.”
His perspective emphasizes a desire for Marvel to balance commercial success with strong storytelling and character-driven narratives, something fans have celebrated since the early MCU days.
While his Marvel chapter seems closed, Grillo continues to thrive in the superhero genre. Fans can catch him in Peacemaker Season 2, streaming weekly on HBO Max through October 9, 2025. With his reflections on Crossbones and the MCU, Grillo reminds fans of the lasting impact even a single character can have and hints at the exciting directions Marvel might explore with future recasts.
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