Director Andy Muschietti attributes the box office failure of his DC Extended Universe film, The Flash, to a lack of widespread audience appeal. In an interview with Radio Tu, reported by Variety, Muschietti stated the film didn't connect with "the four quadrants" – a term referring to the key demographic groups (males under 25, males over 25, females under 25, and females over 25) – sufficiently to justify its $200 million budget.
He explained, "The Flash failed, among other reasons, because it wasn’t a movie that appealed to all four quadrants. When you spend $200 million, [Warner Bros.] wants to bring even your grandmother to the theaters." Muschietti further elaborated that, based on private conversations, many people, particularly women, lacked interest in the Flash character. This, he noted, created significant headwinds for the film.
Unfulfilled DCEU Teases
13 Images
Muschietti's admission of "other reasons" for the film's underperformance likely encompasses negative critical reception, CGI controversies (including the recreation of deceased actors), and its release within a dissolving cinematic universe.
Despite The Flash's commercial struggles, DC Studios has retained Muschietti to direct The Brave and the Bold, the inaugural Batman film in James Gunn and Peter Safran's revamped DC Universe.
