The Future of Jared Leto's Franchise-Leading Days: A Tale of Spectacle and Stunts
Jared Leto's latest venture, Tron: Ares, has left audiences and critics alike underwhelmed. The actor's dramatic entrance atop Piccadilly Circus, complete with a red raincoat and a white suit, failed to generate the excitement needed to drive audiences to theaters. The sci-fi blockbuster brought in a mere $33.2 million domestically, falling short of its projected opening gross by at least $10 million. Overseas, the film fared even worse, grossing only $27 million for a global start of $60.2 million.
Despite Leto's appreciation for spectacle, with stunts like scaling the Empire State Building to promote his band 30 Seconds to Mars, his reputation may be at stake. Nine allegations of disturbing conduct, ranging from flirtatious overtures to exposure, have been made against him, with his representatives denying everything. Disney executives, already on edge, are left wondering if more accusations might emerge.
Leto's persistence paid off, as he managed to get Tron: Ares off the ground. He was elevated to producer and the movie's narrative was reframed to center his character, Ares. However, the failure of Sony's Spider-Man spinoff Morbius, which opened to $39 million domestically and a disappointing $167 million globally, has left studios hesitant to take risks on Leto as a leading man. With his currency in Hollywood running colder than Morbius' vampire blood, Leto's days of commanding hefty paydays for blockbuster roles may be numbered.
The industry insider suggests that the Tron reboot was not a popular choice, and even Ryan Gosling would not have made a difference. The failure of Tron: Ares is not solely Leto's burden, but rather a result of a poorly received reboot. As the industry evolves, Leto's future in franchise-leading roles remains uncertain, leaving fans and critics alike to ponder the fate of his once-promising career.
