Director Andy Muschietti attributes the box office failure of his DC Extended Universe film, "The Flash," to a lack of broad appeal. In an interview with Radio Tu, reported by Variety, Muschietti stated the film didn't sufficiently engage "the four quadrants" – a term referring to the key demographic groups (males under 25, males over 25, females under 25, and females over 25) – to justify its $200 million budget. He explained that Warner Bros. aims for widespread appeal, targeting even a broad audience.
"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 even your grandmother to the theaters." He further elaborated that private conversations revealed a significant portion of the audience, particularly women, lacked interest in the Flash character. This, combined with other factors, created significant headwinds for the film.
Unfulfilled DCEU Teases
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Muschietti's comments acknowledge other contributing factors to the film's underperformance, including negative critical reviews, controversy surrounding its CGI, particularly the recreation of deceased actors, and its release within a now-dismantled film universe.
Despite "The Flash's" struggles, Muschietti remains in DC's plans, slated to direct "The Brave and the Bold," the inaugural Batman film in James Gunn and Peter Safran's revamped DC Universe.
