The Flash Is A Character People Don’t Care About, Says Director Of The Flash

by

The Flash‘s director, Andy Muschietti, thinks he knows why The Flash failed at the box office.

As a guest on the show La Baulera del Coso, on Radio Tu, Muschietti said:

The Flash movie didn’t succeed for several reasons, one being its lack of universal appeal across all age groups and demographics, or “quadrants”. This means it didn’t resonate with everyone. When a studio like Warner Bros. invests $200 million in a film, they aim to attract audiences as diverse as grandmothers, which indicates broad interest. In my discussions with people, I’ve noticed that the character of Flash doesn’t seem to captivate many individuals, especially women. These factors, along with others, have been working against the film, I’ve come to understand.

Director Muschietti likewise touched upon the public relations issues that had surrounded main actor Ezra Miller before the movie’s premiere, explaining how these matters influenced viewer curiosity.

In global box offices, The Flash earned an impressive $271 million, yet its production budget was only $200 million. Keep in mind that this figure does not account for marketing expenses.

What Are The Four Quadrants?

What was Muschietti referring to when he said “four quadrants”?

  • Men Under 25
  • Men Over 25
  • Women Under 25
  • Women Over 25

Here’s a simpler way to phrase that: I will share four ideas for movies with you. Can you guess which ones might be preferred by people in each of the four audience quadrants?

  • A movie about monster trucks where the main character is a ninja
  • A Michael Jordan biopic
  • A picture about a TikToker who goes on a world tour and finds love in an unexpected place
  • A Madonna biopic

A well-rounded film that appeals to all audiences might resemble the Harry Potter series, or more recently, Nosferatu. On the other hand, a movie like A Complete Unknown, with its focus on Bob Dylan, could attract an older demographic (over 25), while Timothée Chalamet’s involvement would likely draw in younger viewers (under 25).

Our Take On Andy Muschietti’s Comments

I’ll put it another way: I believe Muschietti is making excuses. Simply because a film appeals to all four audience demographics doesn’t guarantee it will be a financial hit. For example, consider the DC film “Blue Beetle.

As a gamer putting on my director’s hat, let me share some insights about the Blue Beetle movie I recently watched: This flick boasted a whopping $100 million budget, but it only managed to rake in $130.8 million at the box office. Starring the rising talent Xolo Maridueña, this film showcased the character’s deep-rooted family ties, with the grandma playing a pivotal role even in the climactic battle scene.

Now, if you’re into multiplayer games, think of it as a four-quadrant appeal title that caters to a diverse audience. The leading lady, Brazilian actress Bruna Marquezine, was my teammate on this adventure. With over 45 million Instagram followers under her belt, she surely added star power to the movie.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got to say that unlike Ezra, Xolo’s game didn’t stir up the same amount of drama. The release of this game was more strategically placed compared to ‘Flash’, but unfortunately, it didn’t manage to outperform expectations.

Why?

I’d contend that both films share a common flaw typical of poor superhero productions – weak storylines and an overly exaggerated visual style.

These highly popular superhero films generally tackle their source material with a good deal of gravity—for example, The Dark Knight, Endgame/Infinity War, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Blade 2, X2, Logan, Black Panther, Joker, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, Watchmen.

The movies that people love the most when it comes to superheroes usually portray their material in a serious manner—like The Dark Knight, Endgame/Infinity War, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Blade 2, X2, Logan, Black Panther, Joker, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, Watchmen.

These movies, including Ant-Man: Quantumania, Spider-Man 3, Thor: Love & Thunder, Hancock, Wonder Woman 1984, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine, are often the least favored.

Or more casually:
These movies – Ant-Man: Quantumania, Spider-Man 3, Thor: Love & Thunder, Hancock, Wonder Woman 1984, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine – aren’t usually people’s top picks.

The Flash had a goofy feel to it, regardless of whether it resonated with one segment or all. What truly mattered was its lack of quality.

Muschietti’s supposed to direct the DCU’s first Batman movie, The Brave and the Bold.

Read More

2025-01-13 00:39