"The Flash Director Andy Muschietti on Film's Failure: Lack of Character Interest"

Director Andy Muschietti has openly discussed the disappointing box office performance of his DC Extended Universe film, "The Flash," attributing its failure to a lack of broad appeal, particularly among fans of the titular character. Speaking to Radio Tu, as translated by Variety, Muschietti noted that "The Flash" did not successfully engage "the four quadrants" of moviegoers—a term used in the film industry to describe the goal of appealing to all demographic groups. He explained that the film's inability to attract a diverse audience was a critical factor in its underperformance, especially given its hefty $200 million budget.

"The Flash failed, among all the other reasons, because it wasn’t a movie that appealed to all four quadrants. It failed at that," Muschietti stated. He emphasized the studio's expectations, saying, "When you spend $200 million making a movie, [Warner Bros.] wants to bring even your grandmother to the theaters."

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Muschietti also shared insights from private conversations, revealing a general lack of interest in the Flash as a character, particularly among the two female quadrants. "I’ve found in private conversations that a lot of people just don’t care about the Flash as a character. Particularly the two female quadrants. All of that is just the wind going against the film I’ve learned."

The "four quadrants" refer to males under 25, males over 25, females under 25, and females over 25, which are key demographics in the film industry. Muschietti's reference to "all the other reasons" for the film's failure likely includes its poor critical reception, criticism over its heavy use of CGI, the controversial recreation of deceased actors without family consultation, and its position within a now-defunct film universe.

Despite the challenges faced with "The Flash," DC has continued to show confidence in Muschietti. He is reportedly set to direct "The Brave and the Bold," which will be the first Batman film in the newly established DC Universe under the guidance of James Gunn and Peter Safran.