Tron enthusiasts have plenty to celebrate in 2025 as the beloved franchise returns to the big screen with "Tron: Ares," set to premiere in October. This long-awaited sequel features Jared Leto as Ares, a program embarking on a high-stakes mission in the real world. While the plot remains shrouded in mystery, fans are eager to see how this new installment will unfold.
But is "Tron: Ares" truly a sequel? The visual aesthetics of the film, as showcased in the newly released trailer, bear a striking resemblance to 2010's "Tron: Legacy." With Nine Inch Nails taking over the score from Daft Punk, the film continues the franchise's tradition of electronica-heavy music. However, "Ares" appears to be more of a soft reboot than a direct continuation of "Legacy." Key characters from "Legacy," such as Garrett Hedlund's Sam Flynn and Olivia Wilde's Quorra, are noticeably absent. Moreover, Jeff Bridges, a veteran of the franchise, is the only confirmed returnee from the previous film. Let's delve into how "Legacy" set the stage for a sequel and why "Ares" might be steering away from that path.
TRON: Ares Images
2 ImagesGarrett Hedlund’s Sam Flynn & Olivia Wilde’s Quorra
"Tron: Legacy" primarily follows the intertwined journeys of Sam Flynn and Quorra. Sam, portrayed by Garrett Hedlund, is the son of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), the CEO of Encom who vanished in 1989. Sam's quest leads him into The Grid, a digital world, where he seeks to find his father and thwart CLU's plan to invade the real world. Along the way, Sam encounters Quorra, played by Olivia Wilde, an ISO—a digital lifeform representing the potential of life within the simulation. Their story concludes with Sam defeating CLU and returning to the real world with Quorra, who is now a flesh-and-blood entity.
The ending of "Legacy" clearly sets up a sequel, with Sam poised to lead Encom into a new era of openness and innovation, and Quorra as a testament to the possibilities of the digital realm. The home video release even included a short film, "Tron: The Next Day," showing Sam's return to Encom. Yet, neither Hedlund nor Wilde are returning for "Tron: Ares," leaving fans to wonder about the fate of these pivotal characters. Disney's decision to pivot away from "Legacy's" storyline might be influenced by its box office performance; "Legacy" earned $409.9 million worldwide against a $170 million budget, falling short of expectations. This might have prompted a shift towards a more standalone narrative in "Ares."
Despite this, the absence of Sam and Quorra is significant. Did Sam abandon his vision for Encom? Did Quorra choose to return to The Grid? "Ares" must find a way to acknowledge these characters' importance to the franchise, even if they don't appear on screen.
Cillian Murphy’s Edward Dillinger, Jr. ---------------------------------------Another notable absence from "Tron: Ares" is Cillian Murphy, who played Edward Dillinger, Jr., in "Legacy." Introduced as the head of Encom's software development and an adversary to Sam's open-source vision, Dillinger was clearly set up for a larger role in a sequel. His potential return as the main human antagonist, possibly linked to the Master Control Program (MCP), was anticipated. The "Ares" trailer hints at the MCP's involvement, with the red highlights on Ares and other programs reminiscent of the MCP's signature color. Yet, Dillinger's absence raises questions, especially with Gillian Anderson's new character taking a central role at Encom. However, Evan Peters will play Julian Dillinger, suggesting the Dillinger family's continued involvement in the story.
Bruce Boxleitner’s Tron
Perhaps the most surprising omission from "Tron: Ares" is Bruce Boxleitner, who portrayed both Alan Bradley and the titular character, Tron, in the original film and reprised Alan in "Legacy." The absence of Tron himself in a film bearing his name is perplexing. In "Legacy," Tron, reprogrammed as Rinzler, regained his heroic identity after falling into the Sea of Simulation. Fans hope "Ares" will address Tron's fate and possibly recast him with a younger actor, such as Cameron Monaghan.
Why Is Jeff Bridges in Tron: Ares? ----------------------------------The return of Jeff Bridges to the "Tron" franchise in "Ares" is equally puzzling, given that both his characters, Kevin Flynn and CLU, were killed off in "Legacy." The trailer features Bridges' voice, but it's unclear whether he's reprising Flynn, CLU, or a new role. The mystery surrounding his character adds to the intrigue of "Ares," but it also raises questions about the film's continuity with "Legacy." Will Ares be aligned with Flynn or CLU, or is he serving the MCP's agenda? While "Tron: Ares" promises exciting new developments, its departure from "Legacy's" established narrative leaves fans both eager and curious.
Despite these uncertainties, the anticipation for "Tron: Ares" remains high, fueled in part by the promise of a captivating score by Nine Inch Nails. As we await the film's release, the Tron universe continues to expand, with new ventures like the upcoming game "Tron: Catalyst," blending elements of Metroid and Hades.
