Jared LetoS Star Power Under Scrutiny Following ‘Tron: Ares‘ Box Office Flop
Los Angeles – Jared Leto‘s standing as a leading man in Hollywood is being questioned by industry insiders following the disappointing box office performance of Disney’s “Tron: Ares.” The film,which opened to $30.2 million domestically adn has grossed $108.8 million worldwide as of August 11,has sparked debate about Leto’s ability to draw audiences and his future earning potential,according to multiple agency partners and talent managers.
The failure of “Ares” marks a potential turning point for Leto, who leveraged a long-fought battle to revive the “Tron” franchise and secure a starring role as the protagonist, Ares. While previously commanding ample paydays, sources suggest studios are now hesitant to cast him in leading roles, particularly in the wake of the 2022 underperformance of Sony’s “Morbius,” which earned $167 million globally on a $75 million budget. This shift comes as established actors like Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor, and Benedict Cumberbatch are also facing challenges securing lead roles.
Leto’s journey to starring in “Tron: Ares” began wiht an earlier,shelved version of the film pitched to Disney in 2010. He persisted, gaining support from sean Bailey, then recently appointed to run Disney’s live-action studio, and capitalizing on the critical acclaim and Oscar win for his supporting role in “Dallas Buyers Club.” By 2017, Leto was elevated to producer and the narrative was rewritten to center on his character.
However, the box office results of ”Ares” have prompted industry discussion about the viability of the reboot itself. “You could have had ryan Gosling, it wasn’t going to work,” one agency partner stated. “No one asked for this reboot. If you say, ‘Tron: Ares is good, we just needed a different actor,’ you’re deluding yourself.” Another top talent manager 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 fallout from “Ares” suggests Leto’s future projects may not benefit from the same financial backing and high-profile status he previously enjoyed. The film’s underperformance is not solely attributed to Leto, but it has undeniably cooled his currency in Hollywood, with one insider noting his standing is “colder than Morbius’ vampire blood.” Bailey, a key proponent of the project within Disney, departed the studio last year but remains under a producing deal.
