Jared Leto takes on a challenging role in the upcoming film Tron: Ares, playing a Program named Ares, a character with minimal expression and no backstory. Unlike his past roles as a Marvel anti-hero or a struggling addict, Leto had to adapt his acting style to embody a being that is initially emotionless and highly efficient, reflecting a significant shift in his approach.
Adapting to the Role of a Stoic Program
Leto described his portrayal of Ares as embracing a “true personality: empty, flat, clinical,” emphasizing the difficulty of playing a character with few emotional cues. He likened Ares to a “stoic samurai warrior,” focusing on efficiency and precise movement. This contrast with his previous, more vibrant roles posed an intriguing challenge for Leto, who usually delves into complex characters with rich emotional depth.
“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 explained.
“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,”
he added.
The Story Behind Tron: Ares and Its Characters
Directed by Joachim Rønning, known for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Tron: Ares centers on the Program Ares gaining sentience and eventually defying his owner, Julian Dillinger, played by Evan Peters. Dillinger aims to sell Ares and other digital soldiers as weapons to the highest bidders, but Ares fights back after meeting ENCOM CEO Eve Kim, portrayed by Greta Lee. Upon discovering ways to become more human, Ares takes responsibility for protecting Eve and resisting his owner’s plans.
Director’s Perspective on the Film’s Themes and Timing
Joachim Rønning reflected on the relevance of the film’s themes, highlighting how conversations around artificial intelligence have evolved since production began three years ago. He shared,
“When we started out making this film three years ago, or something like that, AI wasn’t a part of the conversation as it is today. I’m actually very grateful for it, for having the film come out now, since it feels very timely.”
Rønning emphasized that the story focuses on Ares’s journey rather than AI broadly.
“For me, it’s about Ares. It’s about Ares’s journey. That’s what I got drawn into when I read the script for the first time. I wanted to be a part of that journey and be with him, discovering what it means and takes to be human – and having to earn it. I wanted to see the world through him because he’s learning; he’s coming out and he sees the world, and it’s beautiful. I wanted to show that.”
Insights into Ares’s Character Development and Inspirations
Jared Leto immersed himself in understanding Ares’s world, watching numerous DEF CON conferences and lock-picking videos to capture the manic energy of the villainous character. He also noted that Ares’s complex relationship with his mother plays a crucial role in shaping his motivations and emotional evolution throughout the film. This added layer of depth brings a humanizing element to the otherwise clinical and efficient Program.
Release and Anticipation for Tron: Ares
Tron: Ares will premiere in cinemas across the US and UK on October 10. The film promises a fresh take on the Tron universe by focusing on newly introduced characters, with Jeff Bridges’s Kevin Flynn as the only returning figure, as the director aimed to steer the story in a new direction. Audiences can expect an engaging blend of sci-fi action and an exploration of what it means to become human through Ares’s awakening and rebellion against his creators.
