Tron enthusiasts have a thrilling reason to celebrate in 2025. After a prolonged hiatus, the franchise is set to hit the big screens once again this October with the much-anticipated sequel, Tron: Ares. This third installment features Jared Leto as Ares, a program embarking on a high-stakes and enigmatic mission from the digital world into reality.
Is Tron: Ares truly a sequel, though? Visually, it's unmistakably aligned with 2010's Tron: Legacy. The newly released trailer reaffirms this connection, and with Nine Inch Nails taking the baton from Daft Punk, the iconic electronica score remains a focal point. However, in narrative terms, Ares appears to lean more towards a soft reboot rather than a direct continuation. The absence of key characters from Legacy, like Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde, raises questions about the continuity of the storyline. Interestingly, Jeff Bridges, a veteran of the Tron universe, is the only confirmed returnee. Let's delve into how Legacy set the stage for a sequel and why Ares seems to deviate from that path.
TRON: Ares Images
2 ImagesGarrett Hedlund’s Sam Flynn & Olivia Wilde’s Quorra
Tron: Legacy centers on the intertwined journeys of Garrett Hedlund's Sam Flynn and Olivia Wilde's Quorra. Sam, the offspring of Jeff Bridges' Kevin Flynn, ventures into the digital realm, The Grid, to rescue his father and thwart the digital uprising led by CLU. During his quest, Sam encounters Quorra, an ISO—a unique digital lifeform symbolizing the potential for life within a simulated environment. The film concludes with Sam defeating CLU and returning to the real world alongside Quorra, who transitions from a digital entity to a flesh-and-blood being.
The ending of Legacy paves a clear way for a sequel, with Sam poised to take a proactive role in Encom, steering it towards a future of openness and innovation, with Quorra by his side as a testament to digital marvels. The narrative setup for both characters is further explored in the short film Tron: The Next Day, included with the home video release, where Sam begins his transformative journey at Encom.
Yet, despite these setups, neither Hedlund nor Wilde are slated to return for Tron: Ares, signaling a significant shift in the franchise's direction. This change may reflect Disney's strategy to recalibrate after Legacy's $409.9 million global earnings against a $170 million budget did not meet expectations. Similar to other underperforming ventures like John Carter and The Lone Ranger, Legacy may not have resonated enough to warrant a direct follow-up.
Nevertheless, the absence of Sam and Quorra poses a challenge to the continuity of the Tron saga. Their roles were pivotal, and their exclusion raises questions about their fates. Did Sam abandon his vision for Encom? Did Quorra revert to the digital world? Ares needs to address these gaps, perhaps through subtle nods or unexpected cameos, to maintain the integrity of the Tron universe.
Cillian Murphy’s Edward Dillinger, Jr. ---------------------------------------The absence of Cillian Murphy, who played Edward Dillinger, Jr., in Legacy, is equally perplexing. Introduced as the head of Encom's software development and a staunch adversary to Sam's open-source ethos, Dillinger's brief appearance hinted at a larger role in future installments. His potential as a human antagonist, echoing his father's role in the original Tron, seemed primed for development.
The Tron: Ares trailer suggests the return of the Master Control Program (MCP), with its signature red highlights marking Ares and his allies. This hints at a darker narrative thread, yet the absence of Dillinger raises questions about the continuity of this antagonist arc. The introduction of Evan Peters as Julian Dillinger suggests a continued focus on the Dillinger family, but the fate of Edward Dillinger, Jr., remains unclear. Could Murphy be making a surprise return?
Bruce Boxleitner’s Tron
Perhaps the most striking omission from Tron: Ares is Bruce Boxleitner, the actor behind both Alan Bradley and the titular Tron. In Legacy, Tron's journey from CLU's enforcer, Rinzler, back to his heroic roots was left open-ended, suggesting a path to redemption. The decision to move forward without Boxleitner, and possibly without Tron himself, is baffling. Could a younger actor, such as Cameron Monaghan, be taking on the mantle of Tron? The film must resolve Tron's fate to honor the legacy of the character and the franchise.
Why Is Jeff Bridges in Tron: Ares? ----------------------------------The inclusion of Jeff Bridges in Tron: Ares stands out as one of the most intriguing aspects of the sequel. Both of his characters from Legacy, Kevin Flynn and CLU, met their demise in the film's climax. Yet, Bridges' voice can be heard in the trailer, leaving fans to speculate whether he might be reprising a living version of Flynn or revisiting CLU. Could CLU have survived their shared destruction? Did Flynn maintain a backup of his digital adversary? Or has Flynn transcended mortality within The Grid?
These questions will be answered in Tron: Ares, along with the mystery of Ares' allegiance—whether he's aligned with Flynn/CLU or executing the MCP's agenda. While the return of Bridges is exciting, the absence of other key survivors from Legacy leaves fans both eager and puzzled about the direction of this sequel. One thing is certain: the new score by Nine Inch Nails promises to be a sonic treat.
AnswerSee ResultsIn other Tron news, find out about the series return to the gaming realm with the Metroid/Hades hybrid Tron: Catalyst.
