‘Copshop’: Frank Grillo Is ‘F***ing Mad’ About How His Performance Was Edited
Copshop is an action thriller directed by Smokin’ Aces‘ Joe Carnahan. Teddy Murretto (Frank Grillo) is a conman running from a dangerous assassin (Gerard Butler) and decides to hide in a police station. However, nowhere is truly safe from the assassin, putting a rookie cop (Alexis Louder) in the crossfire. Critics and audiences liked Copshop, but Grillo revealed that he isn’t very pleased with how the theatrical cut portrays him.
The ‘Copshop’ theatrical cut has been significantly altered
Copshop is currently enjoying an 80% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, critics panned Grillo’s lead performance. Carnahan intended for the world to see another version of the movie, but other players made decisions that resulted in another cut being released.
Carnahan and Grillo are close friends and produced Copshop through WarParty Films. There hasn’t been much information regarding why Carnahan’s cut wasn’t approved. However, audiences have taken to social media to popularize the hashtag #ReleaseTheCarnahanCut. Zack Snyder had the opportunity to release his Justice League cut, resulting in fans campaigning for other director’s cuts.
Frank Grillo is angry about the ‘Copshop’ editing
Movieweb reported Grillo’s frustration with the Copshop theatrical cut. He still noted that Copshop is a good movie. However, he has no problem criticizing the edits. Grillo rightfully stands up for himself against criticisms that are supposedly a result of drastic changes during editing.
“Although I support all films me and my partner [Joe Carnahan] make, I’m not very pleased [with] how my performance was cut,” Grillo wrote. “Without detail, I’ll say I gave a much more 3-dimensional take that was very colorful and very well planned out. Needless to say, that’s not what ended up in the film. As a result, I’m getting a bit beat up by critics. That makes me f***ing mad. But there’s not a thing I can do except smile and wave.”
Grillo expressed that the original cut contains his more nuanced performance. “I will say this…The cut my boy, brother, and partner [Joe Carnahan] made had my performance intact,” the actor wrote. “Unfortunately, our cut was passed over for this cut. That’s fine. It happens, Copshop is a good movie and I’m very proud of what we did.”
He continued: “But the day I take the brunt for someone else’s bullsh*t will be the day I quit acting. I love what I do and put my soul into every role. So, when I read critics go at me for a character that was castrated by someone other than my director I take great offense.”
Frank Grillo’s action career is going strong
Grillo is a highly in-demand action star. He has the look, the screen presence, and audiences enjoy seeing him in these movies. Critics and audiences may have criticized his Copshop performance, but fans can’t get enough of him in other roles. Viewers expressed an interest in seeing more of his Crossbones in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Grillo also defined a portion of The Purge franchise. He starred in The Purge: Anarchy and The Purge: Election Year. The Forever Purge is supposedly the final installment, but there has been some talk about a sixth The Purge entry. If that’s the case, there’s potential that he may be reprising his role.
Until then, he’s booked with a wide array of projects. He will be starring in The Yacht, which is being compared to Panic Room, but on a yacht. Copshop hit theaters on Sept. 17.
