(Source: Hollywood Reporter) — Jared Leto’s bid to revive Disney’s Tron franchise with Tron: Ares appears to have fallen flat, both critically and commercially — sparking questions within Hollywood about the Oscar-winner’s future as a viable franchise front man.
In spite of a worldwide marketing campaign — featuring a striking stunt in a red raincoat at London’s Piccadilly Circus — Ares debuted to a lackluster $60.2 million globally, with only $33.2 million coming from the domestic market. This figure falls significantly short of the anticipated earnings for a film that had a production budget of at least $180 million.
The lukewarm response, combined with a B+ CinemaScore and minimal interest from crucial demographics, indicates that Disney might completely abandon the Tron series. “No one asked for this reboot,” attributing the lackluster performance more to the brand’s diminished relevance than to Leto’s celebrity status — although both aspects are currently being examined.
Leto’s Last Big Swing?
Leto is said to have received a substantial seven-figure salary along with an additional producing fee for his contributions to Ares. This project was primarily developed according to his vision, which he has advocated for since 2017. He also played a key role in reshaping the narrative to focus on his character, Ares, turning what was initially intended as a sequel into a project centered around Leto.
His commitment wasn’t in question — studio sources called him “professional” throughout. But following previous box office misfires like 2022’s Morbius, and amid lingering controversy stemming from past allegations of misconduct (which Leto has denied), the actor’s commercial viability has weakened.
“Studios had already cooled on him after Morbius,” said a top talent manager. “With Ares flopping, his currency is colder than Morbius’ vampire blood.”
A Broader Industry Shift
Leto is not the sole A-list actor experiencing a decline in success. “In a world where Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor, and Benedict Cumberbatch are struggling to land lead roles, why gamble on someone with question marks who can’t open a movie?” one agency insider asked.
While insiders agree Ares‘ failure isn’t solely Leto’s fault — “You could’ve had Ryan Gosling, it still wouldn’t have worked,” said one source — the film’s poor performance may mark a turning point.
Leto will next appear as Skeletor in Masters of the Universe, a potentially strategic shift toward campy villainy rather than lead-hero responsibilities. Whether that move revives his standing remains to be seen.
Currently, Tron: Ares appears to be viewed not so much as a revival of the franchise but rather as the conclusion of Leto’s time as a prominent studio leader.
