Director Andy Muschietti has spoken candidly about the underwhelming box office performance of ‘The Flash’, offering insight into the challenges that plagued the film’s release.
Despite being hailed as “one of the best superhero movies” by James Gunn prior to its debut, the movie failed to resonate with audiences. Muschietti blames this on the lead of the film Ezra Miller and “superhero fatigue.”
Andy Muschietti Says Bad Press Surrounding Ezra Miller Became The Focal Point Instead Of ‘The Film’
Andy Muschietti’s remarks, made in a Spanish interview (via Reel Academy), shed light on how external factors and unforeseen circumstances shaped the film’s fate. One prominent issue, according to the director, was lead actor Ezra Miller’s widely publicized legal and personal troubles.
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“It’s the result of a mental health situation, you know,” Muschietti explained. “They were dealing with a mental health situation… There are things you just can’t control, like when actors have a public relations crisis.” Moreover, Miller, who faced multiple controversies leading up to the film’s release, became a focal point of media attention.
While Muschietti praised Miller’s talent and dedication, he acknowledged the negative impact of their off-screen behavior. “They got into trouble, were arrested in Hawaii, etc. I had a very good experience with them as an actor and comedian, but all this unfolded towards the end, just before the premiere. It was a setback.” Additionally, beyond the actor’s troubles, Muschietti pointed to broader challenges the film faced.
‘The Flash’ Struggled To Appeal To Female Audience
While ‘The Flash’ received 63% on Rotten Tomatoes, 6.6/10 on IMDB and earned praise from certain corners of the fanbase, it ultimately failed to make a significant cultural impact. According to Andy Muschietti, this was due to a lack of broad appeal for the titular character.
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Despite the success of ‘The Flash’ TV series, the character struggled to draw in casual moviegoers. “Later, I learned things like how a lot of people weren’t interested in the Flash as a character. A $200 million movie is expected to bring everyone, even your grandmother, to the theater,” he said.
“Many women didn’t care about Flash as a character. These are things that worked against the movie,” he explained. Moreover, the superhero genre as a whole has also faced scrutiny in recent years, with several high-profile films underperforming at the box office. Additionally, Muschietti acknowledged the fatigue many audiences feel.
“Years later, I started learning about other things,” he said. He emphasized the growing disconnection between superhero films and their once-enthusiastic audiences. Still, Muschietti stands by the movie, expressing pride in the final product. “I’m very happy with the movie, and I highly recommend it,” he said.
