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, director of the DC Extended Universe film The Flash, attributes the film's box office failure to a lack of broad appeal. Speaking to Radio Tu, and as reported by Variety, Muschietti stated the film didn't connect with all four quadrants – a term referring to the key demographic groups in Hollywood (males under 25, males over 25, females under 25, and females over 25). He explained that a $200 million budget necessitates widespread appeal, extending even to older audiences. Muschietti observed that a significant portion of the audience, particularly women, lacked familiarity or interest in the Flash character, hindering the film's success. This, he indicated, was a significant headwind, alongside other contributing factors. These likely include the film's mixed critical reception, the use of CGI, particularly in recreating deceased actors, and its release within a declining film universe. Despite this, Muschietti remains involved with DC, slated to direct The Brave and the Bold, the first Batman film in the new DC Universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran.