Jared Leto’s latest starring role in Disney’s Tron: Ares has turned into a significant box office failure, raising questions about the actor’s viability as a future leading man. Released earlier this month, the film managed to earn only $64 million worldwide against a hefty $180 million budget, marking another setback for Leto following the commercial disappointments of Morbius and Haunted Mansion. This string of underperforming movies, coupled with ongoing controversies surrounding Leto, has prompted industry insiders to doubt his drawing power at the box office.
Despite Leto’s long-standing commitment to bringing Tron: Ares to life and the film’s visually impressive special effects paired with a dynamic soundtrack by Nine Inch Nails, the movie failed to attract a wide audience. Many within Hollywood are now critically assessing why studios continue to cast him in prominent roles amidst escalating concerns about his public image and declining ticket sales.
Industry Experts Question Leto’s Casting Amid Growing Skepticism
A top talent manager partner expressed frustration over casting decisions, pointing out the irony that respected actors like Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor, and Benedict Cumberbatch struggle to secure lead roles, while Leto continues to headline films despite his poor box office track record and personal controversies.
“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?”
This sentiment captures a growing skepticism surrounding Leto’s ability to carry major projects, especially as he remains entangled in as many as nine sexual misconduct allegations, which his representatives deny. The failure of Morbius, which infamously flopped at the box office twice, only adds to the puzzlement over Leto’s continuing prominence in high-profile films.
Tron: Ares and the Franchise’s Declining Appeal
Concerns about Leto’s leading role in Tron: Ares extended into Disney’s decision-making process, with reports indicating internal unease over his presence during the film’s promotional campaigns. Ultimately, the release has left the studio holding what many consider a major box office disappointment.
However, some argue the film’s failure isn’t solely Leto’s fault, suggesting the reboot was unlikely to succeed regardless of casting choices. An agency partner emphasized that the Tron franchise itself lacks widespread interest outside a devoted niche fanbase, undermining chances for a commercial revival.
“You could have had Ryan Gosling, it wasn’t going to work,”
they stated.
“No one asked for this reboot. If you say, ‘Tron: Ares is good, we just needed a different actor,’ you’re deluding yourself.”
With the franchise’s lackluster reception, insiders believe the feature-length Tron films may come to an end. Instead, the series could transition to television, a move not without precedent as the critically acclaimed Tron: Uprising series demonstrated the potential of The Grid’s neon-soaked universe on the small screen.
Future Projects and the Uncertain Road Ahead for Leto
Despite the setbacks from Tron: Ares, Jared Leto is slated to appear in several upcoming projects, notably as the villain Skeletor in Amazon’s reboot of Masters of the Universe. However, given the ongoing controversies and his recent string of commercial failures, the actor’s ability to revive his reputation and box office appeal remains uncertain.
The outcome of Tron: Ares has intensified scrutiny on Leto’s career trajectory and may influence how studios approach casting decisions moving forward. Meanwhile, the prospects for the Tron franchise appear diminished, potentially limiting its future to streaming or television adaptations rather than big-screen blockbusters.
Main Cast of Tron: Ares
Jared Leto leads the cast as Ares, the central character of the film’s narrative. Alongside him, Greta Lee appears as Eve Kim, contributing to the story’s unfolding within the rebooted Tron universe.
