Tron fans, get ready to dive back into the digital realm in 2025. The iconic franchise is making a thrilling return to the big screen this October with "Tron: Ares," a new chapter starring Jared Leto as the enigmatic program, Ares, who embarks on a high-stakes mission that blurs the lines between the digital and real worlds.
Is "Ares" truly a sequel? Visually, the connection to 2010's "Tron: Legacy" is unmistakable. The newly released trailer showcases a similar aesthetic, and with Nine Inch Nails taking over from Daft Punk, the electronica score remains a cornerstone of the franchise. However, "Ares" appears to be more of a soft reboot than a direct continuation. Key characters from "Legacy," such as Garrett Hedlund's Sam Flynn and Olivia Wilde's Quorra, are notably absent, raising questions about the narrative direction. Why isn't Jeff Bridges, the only confirmed returning actor from "Legacy," joined by these pivotal figures?
TRON: Ares Images
2 ImagesGarrett Hedlund’s Sam Flynn & Olivia Wilde’s Quorra
"Tron: Legacy" centered around the journey of Sam Flynn and Quorra. Sam, the son of Kevin Flynn (played by Jeff Bridges), ventures into The Grid to rescue his father and thwart the digital villain CLU's plan to invade the real world. Quorra, an ISO—a digital lifeform—joins Sam, symbolizing the potential for life within a computer simulation. Their story concludes with Sam returning to the real world with Quorra, setting the stage for a sequel where Sam takes on his role at Encom and Quorra adapts to life outside The Grid.
Despite this setup, neither Hedlund nor Wilde are returning for "Tron: Ares." This absence is surprising, especially given the clear narrative path laid out by "Legacy." The previous film grossed $409.9 million worldwide but fell short of Disney's expectations, possibly prompting a shift to a more standalone story with "Ares." Yet, the absence of Sam and Quorra leaves a significant gap in the franchise's continuity, and fans hope "Ares" will at least acknowledge their legacy.
Cillian Murphy’s Edward Dillinger, Jr. ---------------------------------------Another notable absence is Cillian Murphy's Edward Dillinger, Jr., who appeared in "Legacy" as a potential antagonist set up for future conflicts. His role hinted at a larger narrative involving the return of the Master Control Program (MCP), the original film's digital villain. The "Ares" trailer suggests the MCP's influence with its use of glowing red highlights, yet Dillinger, Jr. is missing. Instead, Evan Peters joins the cast as Julian Dillinger, hinting at continued involvement of the Dillinger family, though it remains unclear if Murphy will make a surprise return.
Bruce Boxleitner’s Tron
Perhaps the most surprising omission is Bruce Boxleitner, the actor behind both Alan Bradley and the titular character, Tron. In "Legacy," Tron's fate was left open-ended after his reprogramming and subsequent fall into the Sea of Simulation. "Ares" appears to exclude Boxleitner, raising questions about whether Tron will be recast or omitted entirely. Given Tron's importance to the franchise, fans are eager to see how "Ares" will address his storyline.
Why Is Jeff Bridges in Tron: Ares? ----------------------------------The inclusion of Jeff Bridges in "Tron: Ares" is particularly intriguing, given that both his characters, Kevin Flynn and CLU, were seemingly killed off in "Legacy." His return raises questions about whether Flynn or CLU survived, or if a new digital version of Flynn exists. The trailer offers a glimpse of Bridges' voice, but his role remains a mystery, adding to the anticipation and confusion surrounding "Ares."
While "Tron: Ares" promises to bring back the beloved franchise with fresh excitement, its departure from "Legacy's" established narrative leaves fans both eager and puzzled. The new direction, combined with the iconic Nine Inch Nails soundtrack, sets the stage for an intriguing cinematic experience.
