“TRON: Ares” Underperforms, Disney Considers Franchise Retirement Amid Jared Leto concerns
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Disney’s highly anticipated “TRON: Ares” debuted to a disappointing $33.2 million domestically and $60.2 million worldwide this weekend, falling at least $10 million short of projected opening grosses. The film, which carried a hefty net production budget of at least $180 million, is already prompting questions about the future of the franchise and the leading man at its center, Jared Leto.
Box office Disappointment and Franchise Future
The lackluster performance of “TRON: Ares” has led Disney to reportedly consider shelving the franchise altogether. while audience reviews were marginally better than those of critics, the film still received a relatively lukewarm B+ CinemaScore. A key factor in the underperformance was the lack of turnout from the film’s core demographic: young males.
Creative Shifts and Leto’s Influence
The film’s journey to the big screen was not without internal changes. According to screenwriter jesse Wigutow, the initial script for “Ares” differed significantly from the final product. Once Leto joined the project as a producer, the narrative was restructured to center around his character, Ares, and became heavily intertwined with his involvement. Why did this happen? Leto’s increased creative control shifted the focus of the film,prioritizing his character’s arc over the broader narrative.
A Pattern of Concerns Surrounding Leto
The film’s struggles come after Leto’s previous starring vehicle, 2022’s “Morbius,” opened to $39 million domestically – a result that already raised concerns within the industry about his ability to draw audiences. Reports indicate that a segment of Hollywood is now questioning its enthusiasm for leto, notably in leading blockbuster roles. Who is expressing these concerns? talent managers and industry insiders are voicing doubts about Leto’s box office appeal.
“in a world where Michael Fassbender,Ewan McGregor,and Benedict Cumberbatch are having a hard time getting led 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?” one talent manager partner stated.
A Potential Career Reset with “Masters of the universe”
Despite the setback with “TRON: Ares,” Leto’s next role as the villain Skeletor in next year’s “Masters of the Universe” is being viewed as a possibly strategic career move. The trade publication suggests that successfully balancing menace and camp in the role could revitalize his standing in Hollywood. How could this role help? A well-received performance as Skeletor could demonstrate Leto’s versatility and willingness to embrace roles that don’t solely rely on his leading-man persona. The film is currently slated for release in 2025.
