Tron fans have a thrilling reason to celebrate in 2025. After a prolonged hiatus, the beloved franchise is set to make a grand return to the big screen this October with a new installment titled Tron: Ares. The film features Jared Leto in the lead role as Ares, a program embarking on a high-stakes and enigmatic mission in the real world.
While it's tempting to label Ares as a direct sequel, the visual cues suggest a strong connection to 2010's Tron: Legacy. The newly released trailer showcases a similar aesthetic, and with Nine Inch Nails taking over from Daft Punk, the electronica-heavy score remains a pivotal element. However, Ares seems to lean more towards a soft reboot than a straightforward continuation. Key characters from Legacy, such as Garrett Hedlund's Sam Flynn and Olivia Wilde's Quorra, are noticeably absent. Why isn't Jeff Bridges, a veteran of the Tron series, the only returning cast member?
TRON: Ares Images
2 ImagesGarrett Hedlund’s Sam Flynn & Olivia Wilde’s Quorra
Tron: Legacy focuses on the intertwined journeys of Sam Flynn, played by Garrett Hedlund, and Quorra, portrayed by Olivia Wilde. Sam, the son of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), the CEO of Encom who vanished in 1989, ventures into The Grid to rescue his father and thwart CLU's plan to invade the real world. Along the way, Sam encounters Quorra, an ISO—a digital lifeform that represents the miracle of spontaneous life within The Grid. By the film's end, Sam defeats CLU and returns to the real world with Quorra, who transitions from digital to flesh and blood.
The conclusion of Legacy sets the stage for a sequel, with Sam ready to lead Encom towards a future of open-source innovation, and Quorra as a testament to the potential of digital realms. The home video release even included a short film, "Tron: The Next Day," which showed Sam's steps towards transforming Encom.
Despite these setups, neither Hedlund nor Wilde are reprising their roles in Tron: Ares. Their absence is significant, especially considering Legacy's global earnings of $409.9 million against a $170 million budget. While not a box office disappointment, it didn't meet Disney's expectations, leading to a possible strategic shift for Ares. Disney might be aiming for a more standalone narrative, akin to their approach with other films like John Carter and The Lone Ranger.
Yet, ignoring Sam and Quorra's pivotal roles in the Tron saga leaves a notable gap. Are we to assume Sam abandoned his mission with Encom? Did Quorra return to The Grid? It's crucial for Ares to at least acknowledge these characters' legacies, if not through their direct involvement.
Cillian Murphy’s Edward Dillinger, Jr. ---------------------------------------The absence of Cillian Murphy, who played Edward Dillinger, Jr., in Legacy, is equally puzzling. Dillinger, Jr., son of the original Tron's antagonist, was poised for a more significant role in future films, potentially as the main human adversary and a conduit for the return of the Master Control Program (MCP). The Tron: Ares trailer hints at the MCP's involvement, with Ares and other programs sporting the MCP's signature red glow. However, without Dillinger, Jr., and with Gillian Anderson's new character taking center stage at Encom, the narrative seems to be veering off its expected course.
Interestingly, Evan Peters is set to play Julian Dillinger, suggesting that the Dillinger lineage remains relevant. There's also the possibility that Murphy might make a secret return, given his uncredited cameo in Legacy.
Bruce Boxleitner’s Tron
The most striking omission from Tron: Ares is Bruce Boxleitner, who portrayed both Alan Bradley and the iconic Tron in the original film and reprised Alan in Legacy. With Tron's fate left ambiguous after his fall into the Sea of Simulation in Legacy, fans are eager to see how his story continues. Boxleitner's absence raises questions about whether Tron has been recast or if the character will be sidelined in this new installment. Either way, Tron's redemption arc is a storyline that deserves attention in any sequel.
Why Is Jeff Bridges in Tron: Ares? ----------------------------------The inclusion of Jeff Bridges in Tron: Ares adds another layer of intrigue. Both of his characters, Kevin Flynn and CLU, met their demise in Legacy. Yet, Bridges' voice is heard in the trailer, sparking speculation about whether he might play a resurrected Flynn or a surviving CLU. The mystery surrounding his role and its connection to Ares' mission, potentially tied to the MCP, is a compelling thread to follow. However, the decision to bring back Bridges while sidelining other surviving characters from Legacy is a curious choice that leaves fans both excited and puzzled.
Despite these questions, the promise of a new Tron adventure and the enthralling score by Nine Inch Nails keeps the anticipation high for Tron: Ares.
