Jared Leto is about to step into a global spotlight he hasn’t occupied since 2022, when the emo vampire movie “Morbius” flopped at the box office. The Oscar winner has two starring roles in the big-budget films “Tron: Ares” and “Masters of the Universe” in the next 12 months. Along with his designer luggage, he’ll bring the baggage of sexual misconduct accusations.
A Saturday report from Air Mail contained accounts from 9 accusers (almost all speaking anonymously) saying that Leto serially pursued them, some while they were underage, in the mid-to-late 2000s. In some cases, Leto was accused of exposing himself and harassment. In a public statement, Leto flatly denied any wrongdoing, but the report arrives at a fraught moment for the actor carrying Disney’s “Tron” franchise, as well appearing as the villain in Amazon MGM’s He-Man adaptation.
Industry insiders are wondering how he can shoulder the pressure of selling two theatrical movies and dance around the damning claims. Will a glossy monthly magazine invite Leto to flaunt his signature long locks and elevated fashion on the cover if he doesn’t elaborate on the accusations? Will Hot Ones serve him a hellfire habanero chicken wing? Will Jimmy Fallon spin his Wheel of Impressions if Leto has become radioactive?
Those type of appearances are standard for an actor promoting a big movie like “Tron: Ares,” which is a rare first-name-on-the-call-sheet gig for Leto. Over the past decade, he’s largely focused on supporting roles in films like “Suicide Squad” and “House of Gucci” that often find him outfitted in elaborate makeup and prosthetics.
Leto is currently on tour with his band 30 Seconds to Mars through the end of summer. Directly after he’s meant to gear up for the Oct. 10 release of the next “Tron” film, in which he co-stars with Evan Peters, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith and Gillian Anderson. Disney is no stranger to leading man headaches around its franchise films, having soldiered through Hurricane Johnny Depp during his “Pirates of the Caribbean” run. Most think the Leto allegations aren’t comparable to the numerous scandals that rocked Depp.
The most explosive allegations in the Air Mail piece were its claims that Leto used sexually aggressive language with a minor, asking her if she had ever given oral sex. The report also said that Leto paraded with his “dick out” in front of a 17-year-old at his home. Leto denied both accusations. None of the alleged misbehavior happened on a film set, sources close to “Tron” noted, and no criminal charges or civil suits have been brought against the star. Another insider close to “Masters of the Universe” made similar points.
Representatives for Walt Disney Studios and Amazon MGM had no comment on the matter. A rep for Leto declined to provide comment for this story.
Love Film & TV?
Get your daily dose of everything happening in music, film and TV in Australia and abroad.
There are several playbooks floating on how to reconcile personal crisis with contractually mandated media saturation. Blake Lively decided to hide in plain sight earlier this year, attending photo calls in elaborate gowns to hype her thriller “Another Simple Favor.” Not once did she address her scorched-earth court battle with her “It Ends With Us” director Justin Baldoni. Shia LaBeouf ran headfirst into a tornado of his own making last month in Cannes, appearing in black tie to support “Slauson Rec,” an intimate look at the actor’s disastrous attempt to start a theater group in South Central Los Angeles. The film documented alarming bouts of rage and regret from LaBeouf, who was open about his sobriety struggles, and even touched on abuse allegations from former partner FKA Twigs. His appearance seemed to part of an effort by LaBeouf to show he’s attempting to make amends.
One seasoned C-suite executive believes that Leto may benefit from a feeling that the #MeToo movement has lost steam in the current political landscape.
“In this climate, you’d get in more trouble for saying something bad about Donald Trump on the air,” the exec noted.
From Variety US