Tron Ares - From Flop to Cult Film? Jeff Bridges Speaks Out

The much-anticipated Tron Ares, the third chapter in Disney's sci-fi saga, has proven to be a heavy commercial failure. Despite the return of Jeff Bridges as Kevin Flynn, the film directed by Joachim Rønnings grossed just 33.5 million dollars in the United States and 27 million in international markets, for a worldwide debut of only 60 million. To date, the film has just exceeded 100 million dollars in total, a disappointing result considering the budget of approximately 180 million.

It will take time to break even commercially

Interviewed by Entertainment Weekly, Bridges chose to look at the situation philosophically, recalling how in 1980 even Heaven’s Gate (in which he had starred), very poorly received at its debut, is today considered a masterpiece. The actor ironically quoted his iconic character from The Big Lebowski: “That’s just, like, your opinion, man.” Cimino's Heaven's Gate is true that it became a timeless cult, but it is equally well known that the colossal box office flop caused United Artists to declare bankruptcy, which was absorbed by MGM.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the failure of Tron Ares could mark the definitive end of the franchise. Internal Disney sources speak of a project never truly requested by the public and of a Jared Leto – protagonist and producer – whose reputation in Hollywood has “cooled more than a Morbius vampire's blood.”

Despite Bridges' optimism, the return to the “Grid” does not seem to have ignited the hoped-for spark: Tron Ares could become another “cult gem” born from a box office blackout. Provided that this actually happens, as long as it doesn't follow in the footsteps of the Marvel Comics character.