The ride back to the Grid has taken a stumble, as Tron: Ares opened to a disappointing US$60.5 million globally, including US$27 million from the international box office. While a weaker start is expected for a five-decade-old franchise that leans into niche territory, the earnings signal a bleak future for its future, especially against a budget of US$180 million (excluding marketing).
The domestic debut fell below decent box office projections of US$45 million to US$50 million, and failed to match the previous instalment, Tron: Legacy, which collected US$44 million in 2010, not adjusted for inflation. For further context, it rode in even lower than Morbius — the critically panned film, also led by Jared Leto, grossed US$39.1 million domestically (and US$84 million worldwide) during its opening weekend.
Still, the sequel currently stands at No.1 at the box office and will enjoy another two weeks of IMAX screenings without major competition, alongside a B+ grade on CinemaScore polls that’s higher than that of Tron: Legacy. Joining Leto in the latest cyber adventure are Greta Lee (Past Lives) and Evan Peters (the X-Men movies), with Pirates of the Caribbean alum Joachim Rønning in the director’s seat.
“Mankind encounters AI beings for the first time when a highly sophisticated programme, Ares, leaves the digital world for a dangerous mission in the real world,” reads the synopsis of Tron: Ares.
Released in 1982, the original Tron introduced audiences to the Grid, a series of digital virtual realities where computer programmes exist as sentient entities, most of which resemble their human creators, known as Users, and are often forced to compete in lethal gladiatorial contests. It attained cult classic status along Tron: Legacy, having collectively racked up US$520 million at the global box office.
Roofman, starring Magic Mike‘s Channing Tatum, takes second place, followed by Leonardo DiCaprio’s action epic One Battle After Another. Following an ex-revolutionary who is forced back into conflict when being pursued by a corrupt military officer, the latter has notched US$138 million worldwide to become director Paul Thomas Anderson’s highest-grossing film to date.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Kevin Low
