Tron fans have plenty to be excited about in 2025. After a long hiatus, the beloved franchise is set to return to theaters this October with a new installment titled Tron: Ares. The third film in the series features Jared Leto as the titular character, a program who embarks on a high-stakes mission from the digital realm into the real world. The mystery surrounding his mission adds an intriguing layer to this eagerly awaited sequel.
But is Tron: Ares truly a sequel? Visually, the movie aligns closely with its predecessor, Tron: Legacy, from 2010. The newly released trailer confirms this, showcasing a continuation of the franchise's iconic aesthetic. Moreover, the switch from Daft Punk to Nine Inch Nails suggests that the electronica-heavy score remains a vital component of the Tron experience.
However, in other aspects, Tron: Ares appears to be more of a soft reboot than a direct sequel. Key characters from Tron: Legacy, such as Garrett Hedlund's Sam Flynn and Olivia Wilde's Quorra, are notably absent. Why aren't these stars returning for Ares? And why is Jeff Bridges, a veteran of the Tron series, the only confirmed returning cast member? Let's delve deeper into how Tron: Legacy set up its sequel and why Tron: Ares seems to be diverging from that path.
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, the CEO of Encom who vanished in 1989, enters The Grid to rescue his father and thwart Kevin's creation, CLU, from invading the real world. During his quest, Sam encounters Quorra, an ISO—a digital lifeform that spontaneously emerged within The Grid. Quorra symbolizes the potential for life within digital spaces. By the film's end, Sam defeats CLU and returns to the real world with Quorra, who has been transformed into a flesh-and-blood being.
The conclusion of Tron: Legacy paves a clear way for a sequel. Sam is poised to take on his role as Encom's largest shareholder, aiming to steer the company towards a more open-source future. Quorra, as the first digital lifeform to exist in the real world, stands as a testament to the wonders of the digital realm. The home video release even includes a short film, "Tron: The Next Day," which shows Sam beginning to lead Encom into a new era.
Despite these setups, neither Hedlund nor Wilde are returning for Tron: Ares, leaving fans puzzled. Their absence suggests that Disney might be steering the franchise in a more standalone direction. Tron: Legacy, which grossed $409.9 million worldwide on a $170 million budget, did not meet Disney's expectations. Similar to other underperforming films like John Carter and The Lone Ranger, it may have prompted Disney to rethink the franchise's direction, opting not to directly continue the plot from Legacy.
Yet, Sam and Quorra are integral to the Tron narrative. Their absence raises questions about their fates. Did Sam abandon his mission at Encom? Did Quorra return to The Grid? Tron: Ares needs to address these characters' significance, even if through subtle nods or unexpected cameos.
Cillian Murphy’s Edward Dillinger, Jr. ---------------------------------------The absence of other key characters from Tron: Legacy, such as Cillian Murphy's Edward Dillinger, Jr., is equally perplexing. Murphy's brief, uncredited appearance in Legacy hinted at a larger role in future installments. As the head of Encom's software development and a staunch opponent of Sam's open-source vision, Dillinger was poised to become the main human antagonist, echoing his father's role in the original Tron.
The Tron: Ares trailer suggests the return of the Master Control Program (MCP), with Ares and other programs marked by the MCP's signature red highlights. This hints at a darker mission for Ares, though his role as hero or villain remains unclear. If the MCP is back, why isn't Edward Dillinger, Jr.? And why is Gillian Anderson's new character now central to the Encom board? However, Evan Peters' character, Julian Dillinger, indicates that the Dillinger family still has a role to play. There's also a possibility that Murphy might return in a surprise role.
Bruce Boxleitner’s Tron
The most surprising omission from Tron: Ares is Bruce Boxleitner, who played both Alan Bradley and the iconic program Tron in the original film. In Tron: Legacy, Boxleitner reprised his role as Alan, while it was revealed that CLU's bodyguard Rinzler was a reprogrammed Tron. At the end of Legacy, Rinzler's fall into the Sea of Simulation restored his heroic identity.
Boxleitner's absence from Tron: Ares raises questions about the film's direction. Can a Tron movie truly be complete without its namesake? There's speculation that Tron might be recast with a younger actor, possibly Cameron Monaghan. Regardless, Tron: Ares should address Tron's fate from Legacy, offering redemption for the character and ensuring his presence in some form.
Why Is Jeff Bridges in Tron: Ares? ----------------------------------The announcement of Jeff Bridges' return to the Tron franchise is perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Tron: Ares. Both of his characters from Tron: Legacy—Kevin Flynn and CLU—were killed off in the film's climax. Kevin sacrificed himself to destroy CLU, allowing Sam and Quorra to escape back to the real world.
So, why is Bridges back for the third film? The trailer offers a brief glimpse of his voice, but it's unclear whether he's playing a living Kevin Flynn, a version of CLU, or something entirely new. Could CLU have survived their shared demise? Did Flynn keep a backup of CLU? Or has Flynn transcended mortality within The Grid?
These questions will likely be answered in Tron: Ares, along with whether Ares is aligned with Flynn/CLU or the MCP. While the film's approach to resurrecting Bridges' character(s) while sidelining other key survivors from Legacy is puzzling, it certainly adds to the anticipation. And, of course, the promise of a new score by Nine Inch Nails is an exciting prospect for fans.
AnswerSee ResultsIn other Tron news, find out about the series return to the gaming realm with the Metroid/Hades hybrid Tron: Catalyst.
