TRON: Ares premiered last week to mixed critical reactions, holding a 54% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and experienced a disappointing performance at the U.S. box office with a $33.2 million opening. Globally, the film grossed $60.2 million, with $27 million coming from international markets, marking a lackluster start for the follow-up to TRON and TRON: Legacy.
With a production budget exceeding $180 million, the film is already considered a financial failure. Its lukewarm B+ CinemaScore indicates that attracting a larger audience in the coming weeks will be challenging. Industry insiders reveal that TRON’s era as a theatrical release is likely drawing to a close.
Studio Concerns and Jared Leto’s Role in the Film’s Downfall
According to trade sources, the TRON franchise will most likely be retired from cinemas, with much of the blame assigned to the property’s inability to draw crowds, though Jared Leto’s involvement also factors into the decision. The film’s lead actor, despite his significant star power, struggles to generate box office success.
Disney executives were reportedly on edge earlier this year after allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced about Leto but were relieved when no additional claims emerged. During the film’s promotional phase, Leto maintained professional conduct and earned millions for both his acting and producing roles.
Interestingly, Jared Leto had advocated to headline his own TRON installment; however, with the underperformance of both TRON: Ares and Morbius, industry insiders seem to have accepted that the Oscar-winning actor no longer has strong commercial appeal, signaling an end to his days commanding top-tier salaries.
The Industry’s Changing View of Jared Leto’s Marketability
Reports indicate,
“The kinds of hefty paydays Leto earned for Ares could be in the past,”
with an agency partner explaining,
“studios already had stepped away from the actor as a leading-man choice after the failure of Sony’s Spider-Man universe spinoff Morbius.”
A top talent manager partner questioned,
“In a world where Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor and Benedict Cumberbatch are having a hard time getting lead roles, why would you even go to a person who can’t open a movie and who has question marks around him as a person?”
The poor reception of TRON: Ares has further cooled Leto’s status in Hollywood. One insider explained the situation bluntly,
“With Ares flopping… Leto’s currency in town has run colder than Morbius’ vampire blood. To be clear, the flameout of Tron isn’t Leto’s burden alone. ‘You could have had Ryan Gosling, it wasn’t going to work,’ says the first agency partner. ‘No one asked for this reboot. If you say, ‘Tron: Ares is good, we just needed a different actor,’ you’re deluding yourself.’
Jared Leto’s Struggle with Blockbuster Success and Future Prospects
While TRON: Ares’ failure cannot be solely pinned on Leto, this latest disappointment likely damages his chances of leading major studio projects going forward. The actor has encountered several notable setbacks in big-budget films; notably, his portrayal of The Joker in Suicide Squad remains widely criticized.
Casting an uncertain future, the Fifty Seconds to Mars frontman might seek to refocus on more dramatic roles rather than blockbuster franchises. His upcoming role as Skeletor in Masters of the Universe could be a chance to reinvent his image within genre films.
What Lies Ahead for TRON and Jared Leto’s Career
Although TRON’s theatrical journey appears over, the intellectual property continues to have a presence, especially at Disney theme parks. It’s plausible that Disney will explore streaming options to revive interest in The Grid and keep the franchise alive in some form.
Jared Leto’s box office decline reflects larger challenges in his career, as studios grow cautious about investing in him as a leading man for major films. His trajectory suggests a possible shift toward smaller roles or alternate platforms, marking a significant turning point after years of high-profile but commercially inconsistent performances.
