"Flash Film Flops: Director Reveals Audience Indifference"

Director Andy Muschietti attributes the box office failure of his DC Extended Universe film, The Flash, to a lack of widespread audience appeal. Speaking with Radio Tu, and as reported by Variety, Muschietti stated the film didn't sufficiently resonate with "the four quadrants" – a Hollywood term encompassing all demographic groups – to justify its $200 million budget. He explained that Warner Bros. aims for broad appeal, targeting even older audiences.

"The Flash failed, among other reasons, because it didn't appeal to all four quadrants," Muschietti said. "When you spend $200 million, they want to bring your grandmother to the theater."

He further elaborated that private conversations revealed a significant portion of the audience, particularly women, lacked interest in the Flash character. This, he believes, created significant headwinds for the film.

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"In private conversations, I've found 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 wind against the film," he admitted.

The "four quadrants" are defined as males under 25, males over 25, females under 25, and females over 25.

Muschietti's acknowledgment of "other reasons" for the film's underperformance likely includes negative critical reception, CGI criticisms (including the recreation of deceased actors), its release timing within a dissolving film universe, and other contributing factors.

Despite this setback, DC Studios has retained Muschietti to direct The Brave and the Bold, the first Batman film in James Gunn and Peter Safran's revamped DC Universe.