Jared Leto may star in new Tron movie

Looks like it’s official: as reported earlier this week, Disney do indeed have a new ‘Tron’ in the works, and now we have our first indications of who may appear in the film.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jared Leto (‘The Dallas Buyers Club’ Oscar-winner-turned-least popular Joker ever) is ‘circling’ the lead role in the project – although it’s clearly very early days, as we’re told there’s currently neither a writer nor director attached, although there is a producer in Justin Springer, who also produced 2010’s ‘Tron: Legacy’ and ‘Oblivion.’

While there is no script at present, the report claims the film will rework an existing script for a planned ‘Tron: Legacy’ sequel which Disney pulled the plug on two years ago, and would cast Leto as a previously unseen character named Ares.

The original 1982 ‘Tron’ starred Jeff Bridges as a computer programmer who is mysteriously transported into a world within a computer in which programs do battle in gladiatorial games. Though a commercial disappointment on release, it became a cult favourite, and is noted for being one of the first movies to prominently feature computer-generated imagery.

Such was the film’s cult status that it was enough to greenlight belated 2010 follow-up ‘Tron: Legacy,’ which saw Bridges return alongside Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde. Released in 3D and IMAX, it made $400 million at the worldwide box office, and plans for a third film were soon in motion, yet the project failed to gain momentum.

While THR describe this new ‘Tron’ movie as a reboot, it seems very premature to make any predictions about whether or not the film will take a back-to-square-one approach, or in some way carry on from what was established in the first two films.

Some outlets have also pondered whether Leto’s potential attachment to ‘Tron’ might have any bearing on his status as The Joker in the DC Extended Universe, but this too seems to be jumping the gun somewhat. Sure, after his widely derided performance in ‘Suicide Squad,’ there are a great many who would rather not see Leto play The Joker again, but there are plenty of actors who have taken roles in competing blockbuster franchises; for one, it won’t be too long until we see ‘Star Wars’ actor John Boyega in the sequel to ‘Pacific Rim.’

Either way, if Leto does sign on for ‘Tron’ it won’t be his only 80s sci-fi cult classic sequel, as he’s also set to appear alongside Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling in the upcoming ‘Blade Runner 2049.’

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