Jeff Bridges Channels The Dude After TRON: ARES Flops: “That’s Just Like Your Opinion, Man”
Tron: Ares didn’t exactly light up the Grid the way Disney hoped. The long-awaited sci-fi sequel stumbled in its opening weekend, earning just $60 million worldwide, which is a disappointing start for a high-concept blockbuster that brought Jeff Bridges back in the digital saddle. But in true Dude fashion, Bridges isn’t stressing over it.
When asked by Entertainment Weekly about the underwhelming box office numbers, Bridges had a chill, almost Zen response that perfectly fits his laid-back persona.
“That's not really my wheelhouse. [Laughs] I don't really know about that. It's interesting, though, how movies are received at opening weekend. I remember Heaven's Gate was considered, you know, very disappointing or a flop, but nowadays it's considered kind of a masterpiece.”
For context, Heaven’s Gate, the 1980 western epic directed by Michael Cimino, was a legendary Hollywood bomb that tanked both critically and financially. But over time, it’s been reappraised and celebrated as an ambitious, misunderstood classic. Bridges even shared how the film continues to live on in his personal life.
“My wife took some wonderful photographs while we were shooting Heaven's Gate, and here in Santa Barbara, her photographs are on display at the Tamsen Gallery, which is right next door to the Arlington Theater.
“And next month there's gonna be a screening of Heaven's Gate that everyone's invited to. And it's the director's cut, you know, Michael Cimino – it's gonna be great. So it's interesting how things can grow on you.”
Bridges wrapped up the conversation by slipping into one of his most iconic characters, the Dude from The Big Lebowski, to offer a bit of perspective that perfectly sums up his attitude toward criticism.
“Even as an individual, often, I have not liked a movie. And then a couple weeks or months later, I'll see it again. I'll say, 'What was I thinking?' [Laughs] As the Dude would say, 'That's just like your opinion, man.'”
Still, Tron: Ares is facing a tough road ahead. Analysts predict the movie could lose around $132.7 million, casting doubt on the future of the Tron franchise.
The film currently sits at 53% on Rotten Tomatoes, with many critics calling it stylish but soulless. But, there’s over 50% that do like the film, and I’m one of them! I enjoyed it! Hell, it has an 86% audience rating, and that’s what really counts.
Maybe time will be kind to Tron: Ares the same way it was to Heaven’s Gate.