Jared Leto Shows Up to ‘Tron: Ares Screening’ in Hopes of Creating a Viral Moment, but It Doesn’t Go as Planned

Jared Leto made an unannounced appearance at a screening of Tron: Ares in San Francisco this week, hoping to surprise fans and create a viral moment.

The actor, who stars as the sentient program Ares, was greeted with a surprisingly muted reaction as the theater was reportedly half empty.

Jared Leto greeting an almost empty theater 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/UqVuFrAJtN

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The latest installment in the Tron franchise quietly opened worldwide last week, earning roughly $70 million so far, a sharp decline from its $180 million production budget. For a series once known for its groundbreaking visuals and futuristic storytelling, the numbers suggest audiences are less engaged this time around.

Directed by Joachim Rønning, Tron: Ares is the third film in the franchise, following Tron: Legacy (2010). The cast includes Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Jodie Turner-Smith, Hasan Minhaj, Arturo Castro, and Gillian Anderson, with Jeff Bridges returning as Kevin Flynn. Leto’s character explores a sentient program navigating the human world, marking a fresh addition to the Tron universe.

Development for a Tron sequel began shortly after Legacy, with multiple directors attached over the years. Production was delayed due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes, eventually filming in Vancouver from January to May 2024.

The score was composed by Nine Inch Nails, whose members Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross also served as executive producers alongside Legacy director Joseph Kosinski.

Tron: Ares premiered in Los Angeles on October 6 and released in the United States on October 10. Its opening weekend fell short of expectations, debuting at $33.5 million domestically and $60 million worldwide.

Initially projected to earn $85-95 million globally, the film underperformed both at home and abroad. Critics offered mixed reviews, with Rotten Tomatoes giving it a 52% approval rating and Metacritic assigning a score of 48 out of 100. CinemaScore audiences graded it a “B+,” consistent with earlier franchise entries.

For Leto, the subdued audience reaction may highlight the challenge of reviving a franchise that once captured the public’s imagination.

His surprise appearance seemed intended to spark excitement online, but with limited theater attendance and lukewarm reception, it did not generate the viral impact he may have hoped for.

Tron: Ares shows that even big stars and visually stunning films can struggle to capture modern audiences. Jared Leto’s attempt to create buzz might have been well-intentioned, but it underscores how challenging it is to make older franchises resonate today. Do you think Tron: Ares deserved a bigger reaction? Share your thoughts in the comments.