Tron fans have plenty to look forward to in 2025, as the long-dormant franchise is set to make a thrilling return to the big screen with "Tron: Ares" this October. This eagerly anticipated third installment features Jared Leto as Ares, a program embarking on a high-stakes and enigmatic mission into the real world.
Is "Ares" truly a sequel? Visually, it's unmistakably a continuation of the style established in 2010's "Tron: Legacy," as evidenced by the newly released trailer. The shift from Daft Punk to Nine Inch Nails underscores the franchise's continued commitment to its iconic electronica score.
However, "Ares" appears to lean more towards a soft reboot than a direct sequel. The absence of key characters from "Legacy," such as Garrett Hedlund's Sam Flynn and Olivia Wilde's Quorra, raises questions. Why aren't these stars returning? And why is Jeff Bridges, a veteran of the Tron universe, the only confirmed returning actor? Let's delve into how "Legacy" set up its 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 Sam Flynn and Quorra. Sam, the son of Kevin Flynn (played by Jeff Bridges), CEO of Encom, ventures into The Grid to rescue his father and thwart CLU, Kevin's creation, from invading the real world. Alongside his father, Sam encounters Quorra, an ISO, a spontaneously generated digital lifeform symbolizing the potential for life within a computer simulation. The film concludes with Sam defeating CLU and returning to reality with Quorra, who transitions from a digital entity to a human form.
The ending of "Legacy" paves the way for a sequel, with Sam poised to lead Encom towards a future of openness and innovation, supported by Quorra. The narrative continued in the short film "Tron: The Next Day," which showed Sam's early steps in transforming Encom.
Surprisingly, neither Hedlund nor Wilde are slated to return in "Tron: Ares," which suggests a shift in the franchise's direction. "Legacy" earned $409.9 million worldwide against a $170 million budget, falling short of Disney's expectations. This, along with the performance of other films like "John Carter" and "The Lone Ranger," may have influenced Disney's decision to steer "Ares" towards a more standalone narrative.
The absence of Sam and Quorra poses significant questions about their fate. Did Sam abandon his mission at Encom? Did Quorra return to The Grid? While "Ares" might not feature these characters directly, it's crucial for the film to acknowledge their significance to maintain the continuity of the franchise.
Cillian Murphy’s Edward Dillinger, Jr. ---------------------------------------The absence of Cillian Murphy's Edward Dillinger, Jr., from "Ares" is equally perplexing. Introduced in "Legacy" as Encom's software development head and a rival to Sam's open-source vision, Dillinger was poised for a larger role in future sequels, potentially as the main human antagonist, echoing his father's role in the original "Tron."
The "Tron: Ares" trailer hints at the return of the Master Control Program (MCP), with characters marked by its signature red glow. This suggests a darker theme to Ares' mission, leaving us to wonder about his allegiance. The inclusion of Evan Peters as Julian Dillinger indicates the family's continued involvement, and there remains a possibility that Murphy might secretly return.
Bruce Boxleitner’s Tron
The most surprising omission from "Tron: Ares" is Bruce Boxleitner, who portrayed both Alan Bradley and the titular hero, Tron. In "Legacy," Tron's fate was left ambiguous after being reprogrammed and then restored to his original self. The absence of Boxleitner, and potentially Tron himself, is a significant departure for a franchise bearing his name. Could Cameron Monaghan be stepping into the role of a younger Tron?
Why Is Jeff Bridges in Tron: Ares? ----------------------------------Jeff Bridges' return to "Tron: Ares" is particularly puzzling, given that both his characters, Kevin Flynn and CLU, met their demise in "Legacy." The trailer features his voice, raising questions about whether he's reprising a living Kevin Flynn, a surviving CLU, or something entirely new. Could Flynn have achieved immortality within The Grid? "Ares" will undoubtedly clarify these mysteries, but the decision to bring back Bridges while omitting other key survivors from "Legacy" leaves fans both excited and confused.
Despite these uncertainties, the prospect of a new score by Nine Inch Nails adds an exciting layer to "Tron: Ares," promising to maintain the franchise's sonic legacy.
AnswerSee ResultsIn other Tron news, find out about the series return to the gaming realm with the Metroid/Hades hybrid Tron: Catalyst.
