I thought I’d never be writing another article about Warner Bros Discovery’s Superhero Box Office Bomb, The Flash, but here we are due to new comments from the film’s Director, Andy Muschietti.
Muschietti was a guest on Radio Tu’s “La Baulera del Coso” show, claiming that it was the fault of not being able to connect with all four quadrants (men over 25, men under 25, women over 25, and women under 25), in this case focusing on the female quadrants and the “lack of interest” of The Flash character. According to CinemaBlend and a translation of the transcript by Flash Legacy Brasil, here are the comments made by Andy Muschietti:
The Flash failed, among all the other reasons, because it wasn’t a movie that appealed to all four quadrants. It failed at that. When you spend $200 million making a movie, Warner wants to bring even your grandmother to the theaters. And 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.
Andy Muschietti
While he has a half-correct response on the lack of public interest in the Flash as a character, let’s give you a reason for that. The company over the years has put so much money into Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster’s Superman and Bill Finger and Bob Kane’s Batman characters when it comes to merchandise, television shows, animation, and Video Games that when it comes to their other Heroes like The Flash, Warner Bros Discovery did enough to squeak by in terms of merchandising and media adaptations. But don’t worry, we’re going to break down Flash’s accomplishments in the media, and break down why Andy Muschietti’s film flopped.
The Flash In Media:
- Has been a part of DC Animation since the debut of the Superman/Aquaman Hour in September 1967
- The Flash made his heroic debut in Flash Comics #1 (January 1940) starting with Jay Garrick. Barry Allen’s first adventure in Showcase #4 (October 1956) leads to the revival of Superhero Comics and the birth of the Silver Age. The Flash has had numerous Comic Book runs since.
- The Flash has also taken part in Pop Art since the 1960s, being featured in numerous works by artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Mel Ramos, and Dulce Pinzon.
- The Flash began his Live-Action Adventures with CBS’s 1990 Television series starring John Wesley Shipp Jr. 24 years later, The CW Network picked up The Flash as a part of the Arrowverse, starring Grant Gustin as Barry Allen/Flash, and would run for 9 seasons, including one animated spin-off special (VIXEN).
- The Flash has also made several appearances in video games which include Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, Injustice: God’s Among Us (and its sequel), the Lego Batman Game Series, and DC UNIVERSE ONLINE.
- The Flash is a staple in Pop Culture, referenced in Television Shows such as The Big Bang Theory, and music such as The Ballad of Barry Allen by Jim’s Big Ego
- Finally, making appearances in films that include Batman VS. Superman, Justice League, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, and his film in 2023.
The Problems Associated with The Flash Film:
- Lead Actor, Ezra Miller’s Legal Trouble/Criminal Record ranging from 2020 to 2022.
- Bad Visual Effects and CGI
- A Bad Script that couldn’t even stay true to its source material (FLASHPOINT)
- Using actors’ likenesses for cameo appearances without permission and typecasting (George Reeves and Christopher Reeve)
- The Film and Merchandise Focused More on Michael Keaton’s Batman than of The Flash.
- It Exemplifies The Problem with the DCEU, which included a lack of clear direction to its inconsistent tone and execution of multiple storylines.
- Only grossing $271 million worldwide against a budget of $200–220 million.
- Following a trend of box office trouble for Warner Bros and their Superhero Film market that includes:
Keep in mind that while he is entitled to his opinion, even though it is one-sided, the film’s flaws didn’t stop him from collecting a paycheck for that Box Office Flop. Maybe it will be a teaching experience for him since he was tapped to direct The Brave and The Bold. You can catch The Flash Film on MAX and the CW series on Netflix.
Source: CinemaBlend, Variety
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