The Flash Director Andy Muschietti Says It Failed Because 'A Lot of People Just Don’t Care About the Flash as a Character'

Andy Muschietti, the director behind the DC Extended Universe's "The Flash," has openly discussed the film's underwhelming performance at the box office. In an interview with Radio Tu, translated by Variety, Muschietti pinpointed the movie's failure to resonate with "the four quadrants" of moviegoers as a significant factor behind its lackluster turnout. The film, which had a hefty $200 million budget, struggled to appeal to a broad audience, encompassing males and females both under and over 25 years old.

Muschietti candidly 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. When you spend $200 million making a movie, [Warner Bros.] wants to bring even your grandmother to the theaters." He further revealed insights from private conversations, indicating that a general lack of interest in The Flash as a character, especially among female audiences, contributed to the film's challenges. "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."

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Muschietti's reference to "all the other reasons" for "The Flash's" failure likely includes its poor critical reception, widespread criticism of its heavy reliance on computer-generated imagery (CGI) — notably used to recreate deceased actors without their family's consent — and its unfortunate timing at the tail end of a now-defunct film universe, among other issues.

Despite these setbacks, DC Studios appears to maintain confidence in Muschietti's vision. Reports indicate that he is set to helm "The Brave and the Bold," marking the first Batman film in the newly reimagined DC Universe led by James Gunn and Peter Safran. This move suggests that DC is betting on Muschietti's directorial talents for future projects, despite the challenges faced with "The Flash."