With the release of Tron: Ares just two days away, Jared Leto has shared insights into his role as the title character in the upcoming sci-fi film. Known for his versatility, Leto described how he approached embodying Ares, an artificially generated intelligence with no established backstory, in the Joachim Rønning-directed movie. This new role marks another addition to Leto’s expanding career in science fiction.
Characterizing Ares: Efficiency and Restraint
The Academy Award-winning actor revealed that playing Ares required a different mindset, as the character is centered on pure efficiency and minimal expression. In an interview with GamesRadar+, Leto described the challenge of performing a role lacking emotional depth at the start. He remarked on his usual preference for more vibrant characters but acknowledged this role’s distinct demands:
“In some ways, it’s easier when you have a lot to grab a hold of, and I am used to exploring, kind of, some of the more colorful aspects of character,”
Jared Leto told GamesRadar+.
He further elaborated on his concept of Ares, saying,
“Ares is all about efficiency; I think about him as, like, a stoic samurai warrior. You know, not a wasted movement?”
From Stoicism to Discovery: Ares’ Emotional Journey
Despite Ares’ initial emotional restraint, Leto highlighted the character’s growth throughout the film. The AI gradually experiences human emotions, prompting a transformation that adds complexity to the role. The actor detailed the collaborative process behind exploring these aspects, emphasizing the excitement he found in portraying such an evolution:
“He’s really not very expressive and probably not the first person to talk about his feelings, especially at the beginning of the film, but then he goes on a journey,”
Leto stated, continuing,
“He starts to open up. Obviously, there’s only so much time you have in a big movie like this to explore the nuances of characters, where you have to kind of explain a lot. But we did talk so much about the discovery process for Ares, and what that must have been like to have these human experiences for the very first time. That was a lot of fun. I found it really exciting.”
Tron: Ares and Its Promising Ensemble Cast
Tron: Ares centers on humanity’s first encounter with artificial intelligence, positioning Jared Leto’s character at the heart of this complex story. The film also stars notable actors including Jeff Bridges, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, and Cameron Monaghan. Created as a standalone sequel in the Tron franchise, the movie is set to debut in theaters on October 10, 2025.
Anticipated Impact of Tron: Ares
As audiences await the theatrical release, the portrayal of Ares by Jared Leto is expected to add profound depth to the exploration of AI in cinema. His interpretation of a calculating yet evolving character could offer a fresh perspective on artificial intelligence’s potential humanity. With a talented ensemble cast and a visionary director at the helm, Tron: Ares aims to engage viewers with thought-provoking themes and impressive sci-fi storytelling.
