Disney's sci-fi sequel, "Tron: Ares", had a disappointing box office debut, collecting only $33.5 million from 4,000 North American theaters over the weekend. This marks a weak start for the franchise, especially considering its massive $180 million budget and marketing expenses. The film, starring Jared Leto, Greta Lee, and Evan Peters, follows humanity's first contact with artificial intelligence. Directed by Joachim Rønning, known for his work on "Pirates of the Caribbean", the movie failed to attract a broader audience beyond its target demographic of boys and men, resulting in a final weekend tally that fell short of its predecessor, "Tron: Legacy", from 2010. Despite a positive CinemaScore exit poll grade of "B+", the action-adventure film struggled to expand its audience. However, it performed better internationally, adding $27 million and reaching a global total of $60 million by Sunday. The film's performance raises questions about the appeal of the science fiction genre and the effectiveness of its storytelling, which typically resonates well across cultures. The weekend was equally disheartening for two other newcomers: Channing Tatum's dramedy "Roofman" and Jennifer Lopez's musical "Kiss of the Spider Woman". Both films struggled to attract audiences, with "Roofman" earning $8 million from 3,340 locations and "Kiss of the Spider Woman" bowing far below projections at No. 13 with just $840,000 from 1,300 screens. While "Roofman" aimed for $8-12 million and "Kiss of the Spider Woman" targeted $1.5-3 million, the actual results were underwhelming. "Roofman" is a true story about a former soldier and professional thief, directed by Derek Cianfrance and produced by Miramax, with a modest budget of $19 million. Positive reviews and word-of-mouth could help it sustain beyond its opening weekend. On the other hand, the new "Kiss of the Spider Woman" remake, directed by Bill Condon and independently financed for $34 million, might struggle to match the sales of the 1985 original, despite its Sundance debut. In contrast, Sony's faith-based film "Soul on Fire" debuted at No. 6 with $2.8 million from 1,720 theaters, resonating with moviegoers and earning an "A" grade on CinemaScore. Holdover titles dominated the top of the box office charts, with Leonardo DiCaprio's "One Battle After Another" in third place, earning $6.8 million from 3,127 theaters, and Dwayne Johnson's "The Smashing Machine" in eighth place, cratering by 70% in its second weekend. In limited release, Luca Guadagnino's #MeToo thriller "After the Hunt" earned $154,467 from six screens, with potential for wider release next weekend. The box office results highlight the challenges of launching new films, especially in the face of stiff competition and the need to resonate with diverse audiences.
