“I Didn’t Want to Offend Him as a Thespo”: Jeff Bridges Talks Working With Method Actor Jared Leto on ‘Tron: Ares’

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Before I stepped onto the set of Tron: Ares, I was told that my co-star, Jared Leto, had a unique preference – he wanted to be referred to as his character, Ares, on set. Being familiar with his immersive acting style, this didn’t come as much of a surprise.

During the laser-filled presentation of Tron: Ares at San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, Bridges remarked with laughter, “He’s just one of those unique individuals; everyone has their own strategies and styles.”

At the laser-packed Tron: Ares showcase during San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, Bridges laughed as he said, “He’s one of those special cases where everyone approaches things differently, with unique techniques and approaches.

As a fellow admirer, I found myself in a delicate position when speaking to Leto, renowned for his method acting approach. I didn’t wish to offend him as a thespian. However, I thought, ‘I yearn for a unique connection with you. I know your character’s name is Ares, but could I call you Air instead?’ To my surprise, he replied, ‘Go ahead! Feel free to call me whatever you like!’ Our interaction was truly enjoyable.

Or in a more casual tone:

Hey there, fellow fan! I was careful not to upset Leto, known for his deep acting methods. But I thought, ‘I’d love to get to know you better. Can I call you Air instead of Ares?’ To my surprise, he said, ‘Sure thing! Call me whatever you want!’ We had a blast.

Leto shared a memory of his initial encounter with Bridges, saying, “I unexpectedly shouted, ‘cut!’ Everyone was taken aback since I rarely do that. The first assistant director approached me and asked, ‘Is everything alright? What’s the problem?’ To which I replied, ‘Well, I guess it’s because I can’t stop grinning, as I’m collaborating with my friend.’

I’m excitedly counting down the days until October 10th, when the new Tron movie, Tron: Ares, directed by Joachim Rønning, hits theaters. Unlike the original films where our heroes ventured into the digital world known as the Grid, this time the programs from the Grid are invading the real world! This is a bold move by Disney, considering that while the 1982 original Tron became a cult classic, neither it nor its sequel, Tron: Legacy, were major box office hits. However, the Tron property, created by writer-director Steven Lisberger, has managed to stand the test of time. As Lisberger once said, “My feeling about Tron is that the most important thing is we kick this technology around artistically before it kicks us around.” I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us this time!

The Tron movies are famous for their distinctive soundtracks, with Daft Punk’s work on Tron: Legacy now regarded as a timeless classic. While Nine Inch Nails took over for Ares, moderator Kevin Smith playfully questioned why Leto wasn’t part of the score composition instead.

Smith mentioned, ‘Didn’t anyone consider contacting Jared? I heard he’s a fan of music too,’ referring to his role as the lead singer of the rock group 30 Seconds to Mars, which drew chuckles from the group.

Leto, who had worked tirelessly for years on the project both as an actor and producer, acknowledged the significant contribution made by the Daft Punk score from fifteen years past.

During our discussions about the music for this movie, there weren’t many individuals who came to mind as capable of fitting into those roles. However, Nine Inch Nails truly exceeded expectations. They created music that is timeless,” stated Leto.

Certainly, the Tron: Ares panel appears to hint at a score that will honor its legacy, as it showcases extensive, visually stunning snippets from the movie accompanied by Nine Inch Nails music which left the audience in awe.

During the panel, there were numerous humorous instances, with Bridges embodying “The Dude” from The Big Lebowski. At one point, Smith declared, “The Grid endures,” to which Bridges responded affirmatively, “Indeed, the Grid endures.

Among Smith, Bridges, and other panel members, the term “man” was frequently used to address them, even Greta Lee, their co-star, was addressed this way on several occasions.

Later on, Smith brought up the critically-acclaimed romantic drama “Past Lives” by star Lee in conversation, suggesting that the script for “Ares” might have seemed similar to her.

Lee, a first-timer at Comic-Con, was taken aback when her “Past Lives” joke resonated with the crowd. She exclaimed, “All I asked my agents was to find a role where I could ride a light cycle.” As the audience in Hall H witnessed, she does just that in the upcoming film.

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2025-07-26 05:55