Jared Leto Ain't a Movie Star, But Is Anyone?

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Last week the internet took potshots at an article published to The Hollywood Reporter with the headline, "'Tron’ May Mark End of Jared Leto’s Franchise-Leading Days." Most of the comments asked the same question: when did Leto ever prove he could open a movie, let alone a franchise?"

It's a valid question which the article doesn't attempt to answer, focused more on Leto's presumed commitment to opening the movie, a tactic that didn't work considering the movie's "dismal $33.2 million from 4,000 theaters against a net production budget of at least $180 million." What's funny is how the article tries to emphasize the actor "had goodwill from his lauded earlier dramatic work in Dallas Buyers Club (winning him a supporting actor Oscar) and Requiem for a Dream," movies released a whopping twelve and 25 years ago, respectively. It also brings up Leto's turn in Morbius, as just a blip "which opened to $39 million stateside en route to a not-good $167 million globally in 2022."