Following the massive box office failure of Tron: Ares, a Disney insider says the studio is shelving the franchise, at least for now.
When asked if the Tron series would continue, the DisInsider said, “The franchise will return at some point but is being put to rest for the foreseeable future.”
Disastrous box office
That statement effectively confirms what many expected after Tron: Ares’ disastrous box office.
The $220 million sequel — starring Jared Leto and directed by Joachim Rønning — brought in just $73.16 million domestically in its debut.
Overseas returns haven’t helped much either, bringing the worldwide total to only about $142.2M, a figure that cements the film as one of Disney’s biggest modern sci-fi flops with a potential $300 million loss.
Tron: Ares Fails to Reboot the Grid
Tron: Ares was supposed to reignite Disney’s dormant sci-fi brand after 2010’s Tron: Legacy, but instead, it’s been shut down. Despite high-end visuals, Nine Inch Nails’ soundtrack, and a flashy marketing campaign featuring Tesla tie-ins and Light Cycle displays, the film never connected with audiences.
Critics called it a sleek but soulless sequel, while fans questioned whether Jared Leto was the right fit for the franchise. The film received a B+ CinemaScore and only a 57% recommend rate, signaling weak word of mouth. The Rotten Tomatoes Score is also at a “rotten” 54% and the audience fan score is lukewarm at 84%.
The result? Disney is reportedly cutting its losses and putting Tron on ice.
Questions Now Surround Masters of the Universe
The fallout also raises concerns about Leto’s next big project — Mattel and Amazon MGM’s Masters of the Universe, where he stars as Skeletor, opposite Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man.
The film, directed by Travis Knight, is scheduled for release in June 2026. But following Tron: Ares, industry watchers wonder if audiences will show up for another big-budget fantasy built around Leto, especially after two major box office failures in a row.
