The Future of 'Tron' is Uncertain: Jared Leto's Franchise-Leading Days May Be Over
The iconic sci-fi franchise Tron is facing an uncertain future, with the latest installment, Tron: Ares, failing to live up to expectations at the box office. Jared Leto, the actor who portrayed the protagonist in the film, has been a central figure in the franchise's revival, but his involvement may not continue.
The London premiere of Tron: Ares, featuring Leto in a dramatic red raincoat and white suit, failed to generate the excitement it aimed for. The film's opening weekend gross was significantly lower than projected, bringing in only $33.2 million from 4,000 theaters, despite a substantial net production budget of at least $180 million. The global gross of $60.2 million further highlights the film's underperformance.
Leto's reputation for spectacle and stunts, such as scaling the Empire State Building, has raised concerns about his ability to attract audiences. Additionally, negative headlines surrounding allegations of disturbing conduct from women have cast a shadow over his career. While his representatives denied these claims, the potential for further accusations has left Disney executives uneasy.
Despite the challenges, Leto's determination to bring Tron: Ares to life was evident. He collaborated with powerful allies, including Sean Bailey, who played a crucial role in the production. However, the film's failure has led to a shift in the industry's perception of Leto as a leading man. The failure of Sony's Spider-Man spinoff, Morbius, further solidified this perception, making it difficult for Leto to secure leading roles in the future.
The industry's response to Tron: Ares has been critical, with one talent manager partner stating that Leto's inability to open a movie and the surrounding controversies have made him a less desirable choice for leading roles. The agency partner also suggests that the film's failure is not solely Leto's burden, indicating that the reboot was not well-received by audiences.
As the future of Tron remains uncertain, the industry's reaction to Jared Leto's involvement in the franchise has sparked discussions about the challenges of rebooting iconic films and the impact of personal controversies on an actor's career.
