Tag: Joachim Rønning

Oscar Predictions – Tron: Ares

Out Friday, sci-fi action tale Tron: Ares is the third feature in the Disney franchise that began all the way back in 1982 and continued with a 2010 follow-up. Joachim Rønning handles directorial duties (taking over from Joseph Kosinksi) with Jared Leto headlining and Jeff Bridges reprising his role from the predecessors. The supporting cast includes Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Jodie Turner-Smith, Hasan Minhaj, Arturo Castro and Gillian Anderson.

The so-so reviews that greeted it today are on par with what Legacy received 15 years ago. Ares stands at 55% on Rotten Tomatoes and 50 at Metacritic while Legacy had respective numbers of 51% and 49. Neither the original Tron or the sequel managed to get a Visual Effects nod where a mention for Ares would seem most feasible. The first Tron did get a Sound nom (losing to E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial).

Ares could contend (and only contend) in those two races. However, competition from sequels alone is significant. Avatar: Fire and Ash and Wicked: For Good should play in both of them. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is viable in VE and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning could factor into each. I wouldn’t write Ares off, but history isn’t on its side. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Tron: Ares Box Office Prediction

Arriving 15 years after a sequel that followed the original by 28 years, Tron: Ares hits theaters October 10th. Disney’s sci-fi action threequel has Joachim Rønning taking over directorial duties from Joseph Kosinski, who made 2010’s Tron: Legacy before helming Top Gun: Maverick and F1. Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Jodie Turner-Smith, Hasan Minhaj, Arturo Castro, Gillian Anderson and Jeff Bridges (reprising his role from the first two) star.

The franchise certainly has its followers though it’s fair to wonder if younger viewers will turn out. They might not be as familiar with the source material from 2010 (let alone 1982). Legacy performed decently with a $44 million opening and $172 eventual domestic gross. It made just under $400 million worldwide. Ares would be fortunate to replicate that and projections have it starting in the same range (not adjusted for inflation). I’ll say this manages just under that figure.

Tron: Ares opening weekend prediction: $42.6 million

For my Roofman prediction, click here:

Roofman Box Office Prediction

For my Kiss of the Spider Woman prediction, click here:

Kiss of the Spider Woman Box Office Prediction

Oscar Predictions: Young Woman and the Sea

Former and future Star Wars lead Daisy Ridley is generating some career best notices for Young Woman and the Sea, out this weekend in limited fashion. Originally slated for a Disney Plus only rollout, Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Rønning (director of 2012’s internationally nominated Kon-Tiki) helms the true life 1920s set sports biopic. Ridley plays swimming champion Gertrude Ederle with a supporting cast including Christopher Eccleston, Stephen Graham, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Kim Bodnia, and Glenn Fleshler.

The Disney/Bruckheimer production has not been heavily marketed and the studios may have missed an opportunity. I’m sure it’ll eventually gain eyeballs once it does move to streaming. Reviews indicate it’s an old-fashioned solid crowdpleaser. The RT score is 86%.

We saw Annette Bening nominated at the preceding Oscars in Actress for inhabiting a well-known swimmer in Nyad. I doubt that will occur with Ridley despite many critics lapping it up. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…