Andy Muschietti on 'The Flash' Failure: Lack of Interest in the Character

Andy Muschietti, the director behind the DC Extended Universe's "The Flash," has openly discussed the film's disappointing box office performance. In an interview with Radio Tu, translated by Variety, Muschietti attributed the film's failure to a lack of broad appeal, particularly noting that "a lot of people just don’t care about the Flash as a character." He emphasized that the movie did not successfully engage "the four quadrants" of the audience—a term used in the film industry to describe the goal of appealing to all demographics, including males and females both under and over 25 years old.

Muschietti pointed out that with a hefty budget of $200 million, Warner Bros. expected the film to attract a wide audience, including even the least likely viewers, such as "your grandmother." He admitted, "The Flash failed, among all the other reasons, because it wasn’t a movie that appealed to all four quadrants. It failed at that." This lack of universal appeal, he believes, was a significant factor in the film's underperformance.

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In private conversations, Muschietti has learned that the lack of interest in the Flash character, especially among the two female quadrants, further compounded the film's challenges. He noted, "All of that is just the wind going against the film I’ve learned."

The director's reference to "all the other reasons" for the film's failure likely includes its negative critical reception, the controversy surrounding its heavy use of CGI, including the recreation of deceased actors without family consent, and its timing at the end of a now-defunct film universe.

Despite these setbacks, DC Studios has not severed ties with Muschietti. He is reportedly set to helm "The Brave and the Bold," marking the first Batman film in the newly envisioned DC Universe under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran. This move suggests that DC sees potential in Muschietti's directorial vision, despite the challenges faced with "The Flash."