Does ‘Tron: Ares’ Disappointing Debut Spell Trouble for He-Man Next Year?

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The new film *Tron: Ares* had a disappointing opening weekend, earning only $33.5 million at the box office. Considering it cost $180 million to make, that’s a significant setback. While critics acknowledge the movie has stunning visuals and a great soundtrack by Nine Inch Nails, most agree it lacks substance. Some wonder if Disney counted too much on viewers’ fondness for the original *Tron*. However, another major factor contributing to the film’s failure appears to be the performance of its star, Jared Leto.

The *Tron* series, if we’re being realistic, hasn’t ever become a massive cultural hit. While it has a dedicated fanbase, much of its appeal relies on fond memories of the original. The first *Tron* movie in 1982 didn’t perform well financially for Disney, which is a big reason why a sequel took almost 30 years to materialize. When *Tron: Legacy* arrived in 2010, Disney hoped that time would bring fans back to the theaters. However, like the recent film *Ares*, *Legacy* didn’t quite succeed because, despite being visually impressive, it lacked a compelling story.

Disney Overestimated the Star Power of Jared Leto

It’s surprising Disney made a third *Tron* movie, and even more surprising they thought it would succeed where the previous ones hadn’t. Casting Jared Leto as the lead was a particularly questionable decision. It seems Disney either overestimated his popularity or hoped audiences would overlook his history of controversies. While the timing of the recent sexual misconduct allegations might have been unexpected, Leto’s problematic behavior has been well-known in Hollywood for years. Numerous people, including James Gunn and Dylan Sprouse, have publicly criticized his past relationships with underage girls, meaning Disney was likely aware of the issues despite any public silence.

Jared Leto has faced a lot of criticism and controversy for years. He’s become notorious for his behavior on movie sets, often disrupting filming because he stays fully committed to his character – even off-camera, sometimes sending strange ‘gifts’ to his co-stars. Adding to this, his band, Thirty Seconds to Mars, has developed a devoted and somewhat unusual following. The way he encourages fans to participate in all-white events and group activities that feel like rituals is concerning to many.

It’s surprising that Disney, despite the failures of films like *Morbius* and *Haunted Mansion*, chose Jared Leto to produce and star in *Tron: Ares*. It’s a puzzling decision, as MovieWeb’s Britt Hayes pointed out online.

Jared Leto is like artificial intelligence – something companies keep pushing on the public despite a lack of success and general disapproval. He’s overexposed and doesn’t deliver good results.

‘Tron: Ares’ Disappointing Box Office Spells Trouble for ‘Masters of the Universe’

Those working on the new *Masters of the Universe* movie at Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures are likely feeling uneasy about the recent reception to *Tron: Ares*. They cast Jared Leto as Skeletor before the allegations of misconduct against him became widely known – either overlooking the reports or choosing not to address them. Even putting that aside, it’s strange they would choose Leto for a major role given his recent films haven’t performed well at the box office. It’s a puzzling decision, to say the least.

Unfortunately, Jared Leto hasn’t resonated with audiences as a major star, and recent allegations of sexual misconduct involving minors have significantly damaged his reputation. While his representatives deny the claims, public opinion has turned quickly, and many fans are no longer supporting him.

The recent performance of *Tron: Ares* doesn’t bode well for *Masters of the Universe*. To succeed, the new film will need to be genuinely good and avoid relying too much on nostalgia. However, *Masters of the Universe* is currently seen as just a nostalgic property, and the casting of Leto adds another challenge. We’ll see if it can overcome these hurdles when it’s released on July 5, 2026. In the meantime, *Tron: Ares*, from Walt Disney Studios, is now playing in theaters.

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2025-10-14 20:05