Tron: Ares – Jared Leto’s Method Acting Led to an Awkward First Encounter With Jeff Bridges

SUMMARY

• Jared Leto embraced method acting in Tron: Ares by staying in character as "Ares."
• Jeff Bridges' first encounter with Leto was humorous, despite initial uncertainty.
• Leto's extreme commitment to his roles is both praised and critiqued in Hollywood.

Hollywood is filled with stories of actors who live and breathe their characters, becoming almost indistinguishable from the roles they play. These method actors push boundaries to fully embody their characters, often leading to extraordinary performances. However, the dedication that drives such immersion can sometimes cause awkward, if not perplexing, interactions on set, especially in the case of Jared Leto.

Jared Leto in Morbius. Credits: Sony Pictures Entertainment

Leto is an actor renowned for his method-acting antics, who once again threw himself into the role of Ares for the much-anticipated Tron: Ares. But his approach, which required him to be called “Ares” on set, led to an unusual first meeting with his co-star Jeff Bridges.

An Awkward First Encounter: Jeff Bridges and Ares

THE OLD MAN – Season 2- Pictured: (l-r) John Lithgow as Harold Harper, Jeff Bridges as Dan Chase. CR: FX/Bryan Cohen.

During an interview on SiriusXM’s Literally! With Rob Lowe, Jeff Bridges opened up about his experience returning to the Tron franchise and working alongside Jared Leto. Having never met Leto prior to shooting, Bridges was understandably curious about what kind of energy Leto would bring to the set. Given Leto’s reputation for staying in character throughout production, the veteran actor wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

I hadn’t met him before. I’m saying, ‘What’s it gonna be like?’ because he was also a producer of the show, big fan of the original, working on it for 10 years.

He recalled arriving on set and immediately sensing a unique vibe in the air. When he asked his colleagues what it was like working with Leto, they casually mentioned, “We call him Ares, you know, so he goes by his name.”

Bridges’ initial uncertainty turned into a lighthearted moment when he first addressed Leto as “Ares.” “I ended up going, ‘Hey Air, what’s happening man?’” Bridges said, recalling the humorous interaction. Surprisingly, Leto was completely cool with it. The encounter could have been awkward, but both actors quickly eased into a comfortable dynamic. 

Jared Leto: A Method Actor Through and Through

Jared Leto in Morbius / Sony Pictures

Jared Leto’s method acting is something that’s been both lauded and criticized over the years. From playing the Joker in Suicide Squad to embodying Morbius, Leto has become known for staying in character off-screen as much as he does on-screen. 

But Leto’s commitment to his roles is nothing short of extraordinary. In Tron: Ares, Leto takes on the role of Ares, a rockstar-like figure sent from the digital world into the real world. Given that Leto is also the frontman for the band Thirty Seconds to Mars, playing a larger-than-life musician likely felt natural for the actor. 

Method acting can often be demanding on both the actor and their co-stars, for example, in Morbius, Leto stayed in character even during breaks, using crutches and a wheelchair off-screen to fully inhabit his character, Dr. Michael Morbius, who suffered from a rare blood disease. This led to some delays in production, particularly when Leto required assistance to use the restroom.

 While some might consider this extreme, others view it as a testament to Leto’s passion and dedication. For better or worse, his method acting has become a hallmark of his performances, bringing a distinct edge to every character he plays.

Tron: Ares is set to release on October 10, 2025.

Written by Sonika Kamble

Articles Published: 99

Sonika thrives on her passion for cinema, artistic expression, and philosophical exploration. Every medium of storytelling intrigues her, and she can’t help but dissect the layers to unravel the deeper meaning behind an arc or a scene. She finds contentment in playing chess, vibing to background scores, and penning the next chapter of her book. Sonika is driven by the idea of being a dutiful and responsible human who dedicates herself to a task, regardless of the outcome—a principle she’s committed to upholding at FandomWire.