The first actor joining James Gunn's new DCU who was not present in the previous universe has finally been confirmed.
As Gunn sets course to conduct a soft reboot of the DCU, keeping around some stars while recasting other key players, nobody's roles are safe.
Ben Affleck's Batman, Henry Cavill's Superman, and Dwayne Johnson's Black Adam are already officially out the door ahead of the reboot.
Currently, the only confirmed returning stars are Viola Davis' Amanda Waller in her own HBO Max series and Sean Gunn's Weasel in Creature Commandos.
James Gunn's DCU Finds First New Actor
Speaking to ComicBook.com, the MCU's Crossbones actor Frank Grillo confirmed he would be making the jump to DC Studios, making him the first actor not returning from a prior role to be cast in James Gunn's new DCU reboot.
Grillo shared that after being left "disappointed" by his role as Captain America's villain in the MCU, he's decided to give the comic book movie genre another shot, this time now at DC:
"I think there was more meat on the bone [with Crossbones at Marvel]. I was disappointed, which is why I went over to DC.”
This isn't Grillo's first tease of a jump to DC, having previously shared the blue brand's logo on his Instagram change while hinting "the only constant in life is change" and promising "something's coming."
The actor also commented several "fire" emojis under James Gunn's post of the Creature Commandos team artwork, perhaps teasing that may be the DC project he will be getting involved with. After all, the DC Studios CEO did confirm the animated they have "already cast" some members of the crew.
Grillo has even teased that he may be working with Ron Perlman - with whom he co-starred in the 2019 western Hell on the Border - in his DC outing.
The former MCU star also had several comments to offer about his frustrating time in the superhero world as Captain America's Crossbones.
Who Will Frank Grillo Play in the DCU?
Having been a goon-type Captain America villain who was even killed off in Civil War, Crossbones' time in the MCU was likely over anyway, regardless of Frank Grillo's newfound role over at DC. Hopefully whatever role he may have found will be one he finds more fulfilling than what he was given at Marvel Studios.
Chances are, his character enters the fray in the animated Creature Commandos, with the available male characters in the show believed to be Rick Flag Sr., Dr. Phosphorus, Eric Frankenstein, and G.I. Robot. Looking at the bunch, Flag Sr. - the father of Joel Kinnaman's Suicide Squad character - seems most likely.
The Creature Commandos are expected to crossover into live-action after their animated debuts, with at least one of the team set to appear in Waller. So, Grillo certainly seems to be setting himself up for a bright future over at DC, one that could see him become an important player for years to come.
Gunn shared in February that he expects to share the first major cast announcements for the DCU within six months - placing them at some point before this August. The Crossbones actor will almost certainly be among that first batch which might end up coming at San Diego Comic-Con this July.
Grillo isn't the only Marvel actor whose potential jump to DC has been teased since Gunn's big takeover, as the filmmaker has already shared his expectation to bring over some of his former Guardians of the Galaxy colleagues down the line.
Creature Commandos has yet to set an official release date.
