Tron fans have plenty to be excited about in 2025. After a long hiatus, the iconic franchise is making a dazzling return to the big screen this October with "Tron: Ares," a new installment featuring Jared Leto as the titular character, a program embarking on a high-stakes and enigmatic mission from the digital world into reality.
But is "Tron: Ares" truly a sequel? Visually, the movie is unmistakably connected to 2010's "Tron: Legacy," as evidenced by the newly released trailer. The electronica-heavy score, now crafted by Nine Inch Nails in place of Daft Punk, underscores the franchise's signature sound. Yet, "Ares" seems to lean more towards a soft reboot rather than a direct continuation. Key characters from "Legacy" are noticeably absent, and stars Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde are not returning. Meanwhile, Jeff Bridges, a veteran of the Tron universe, is the only confirmed returning actor. Let's delve into how "Legacy" set up its sequel and why "Ares" appears to diverge from that narrative.
TRON: Ares Images
2 ImagesGarrett Hedlund’s Sam Flynn & Olivia Wilde’s Quorra
"Tron: Legacy" primarily focuses on the intertwined journeys of Garrett Hedlund's Sam Flynn and Olivia Wilde's Quorra. Sam, the son of Jeff Bridges' character Kevin Flynn, ventures into The Grid to rescue his father and thwart Kevin's rogue creation, CLU, from invading the real world. During his quest, Sam encounters Quorra, an ISO—a spontaneously generated digital lifeform. Quorra symbolizes the potential for life within digital realms, and after defeating CLU, Sam returns to the real world with her, now transformed into a flesh-and-blood being.
The ending of "Legacy" sets a clear stage for a sequel, with Sam ready to take the reins at Encom and steer it towards a more open-source future, supported by Quorra, a living testament to digital possibilities. The home video release even included "Tron: The Next Day," a short film showing Sam's initial steps at Encom.
Despite this setup, neither Hedlund nor Wilde are returning for "Tron: Ares," leaving a significant gap in the narrative. "Legacy" earned $409.9 million worldwide on a $170 million budget but didn't meet Disney's expectations. This, along with Disney's strategic shift towards franchises like Marvel and Star Wars, might explain the decision to pivot "Ares" towards a more standalone story. Yet, the absence of Sam and Quorra raises questions about their fates and the franchise's continuity. We hope "Ares" at least acknowledges their importance, if not through their return in cameo roles.
Cillian Murphy’s Edward Dillinger, Jr.Cillian Murphy's brief appearance as Edward Dillinger, Jr. in "Legacy" hinted at a larger role in future installments. As the head of Encom's software development and an adversary to Sam's open-source vision, Dillinger was poised to be a significant human antagonist. The return of the Master Control Program (MCP) in the "Ares" trailer, indicated by the characters' red highlights, suggests a dark undercurrent to Ares' mission. However, the absence of Dillinger, Jr. and the introduction of Gillian Anderson's new character at Encom raises questions. Evan Peters' role as Julian Dillinger might keep the family's legacy alive, and there's a possibility that Murphy could return unannounced.
Bruce Boxleitner’s TronThe most puzzling omission from "Tron: Ares" is Bruce Boxleitner, who played both Alan Bradley and the iconic security program Tron. In "Legacy," Tron was revealed to be Rinzler, CLU's reprogrammed bodyguard, who regained his heroic identity after falling into the Sea of Simulation. Boxleitner's absence from "Ares" raises concerns about the film's connection to its namesake. There's speculation that Tron might have been recast, possibly with Cameron Monaghan. Regardless, "Ares" must address Tron's fate to honor the character's legacy and the franchise's core.
Why Is Jeff Bridges in Tron: Ares?Jeff Bridges' return to the Tron universe in "Ares" is perhaps the most intriguing announcement. Both of his characters from "Legacy"—Kevin Flynn and CLU—were killed off. Yet, his voice is heard in the trailer, hinting at a possible resurrection or digital continuation. Whether Flynn or CLU is back, and how this ties into Ares' mission or the MCP's agenda, remains a mystery. While we eagerly anticipate "Tron: Ares," the choice to revive Bridges' character while sidelining others who survived "Legacy" leaves us puzzled. Nonetheless, the promise of a Nine Inch Nails score adds to the excitement.
AnswerSee ResultsIn other Tron news, find out about the series return to the gaming realm with the Metroid/Hades hybrid Tron: Catalyst.
