"Flash Director Admits Failure Due to Lack of Character Interest"

Andy Muschietti, the director behind the DC Extended Universe's "The Flash," has openly discussed the film's disappointing box office performance, attributing it to a lack of broad appeal. In an interview with Radio Tu, translated by Variety, Muschietti explained that the movie struggled to engage "the four quadrants" of the audience—a term used in the film industry to describe a movie that appeals to all demographics: males and females, both under and over 25. He stated, "The Flash failed, among all the other reasons, because it wasn’t a movie that appealed to all four quadrants. It failed at that." He emphasized the challenge of justifying the film's hefty $200 million budget, noting that Warner Bros. aimed to attract a wide audience, including even the older demographic like "your grandmother."

Muschietti further elaborated on the specific challenges with "The Flash," pointing out that the character did not resonate widely, especially with female audiences. He said, "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."

The four quadrants in Hollywood are categorized as males under 25, males over 25, females under 25, and females over 25. Muschietti's reference to "all the other reasons" for the film's failure includes its negative critical reception, backlash over its heavy use of CGI—especially for recreating deceased actors without family consent—and its position in a now-defunct film universe.

Despite the setback with "The Flash," Muschietti's career with DC is far from over. He is reportedly set to helm "The Brave and the Bold," which will be the inaugural Batman film in the newly established DC Universe led by James Gunn and Peter Safran.

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