Tron fans, mark your calendars for October 2025 because the iconic franchise is making a thrilling return to the big screen with "Tron: Ares." This third installment, featuring Jared Leto as the titular character, promises a high-stakes adventure as Ares embarks on a mysterious mission from the digital world into reality. But is "Ares" truly a sequel or something different?
Visually, "Tron: Ares" echoes the aesthetic of 2010's "Tron: Legacy," as evident from the newly released trailer. The shift from Daft Punk to Nine Inch Nails for the score suggests that the electronica vibe remains a crucial element of the franchise. However, "Ares" might be leaning more towards a soft reboot rather than a direct sequel. Notably absent are key characters from "Legacy" like Garrett Hedlund's Sam Flynn and Olivia Wilde's Quorra, raising questions about the continuity of the storyline.
TRON: Ares Images
2 ImagesGarrett Hedlund’s Sam Flynn & Olivia Wilde’s Quorra
"Tron: Legacy" focused on the intertwined journeys of Sam Flynn and Quorra. Sam, the son of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), the visionary CEO of Encom, ventures into The Grid to rescue his father and stop CLU's digital uprising. Alongside his father, Sam encounters Quorra, an ISO—a digital lifeform—and together they thwart CLU's plans, returning to the real world with Quorra transformed into a human.
The film sets up a clear sequel path, with Sam poised to lead Encom towards a more transparent and innovative future, and Quorra as a symbol of digital possibilities. Yet, with Hedlund and Wilde missing from "Ares," it seems Disney is opting for a fresh start. "Legacy" earned $409.9 million globally on a $170 million budget, but it didn't meet Disney's expectations, possibly influencing the decision to pivot away from the established plot.
The absence of Sam and Quorra leaves significant gaps in the narrative. It's unclear if Sam abandoned his mission at Encom or if Quorra returned to The Grid. Fans hope "Ares" will at least nod to their importance, if not feature them in surprise cameos.
Cillian Murphy’s Edward Dillinger, Jr. ---------------------------------------Cillian Murphy's brief appearance as Edward Dillinger, Jr., in "Legacy" hinted at a larger role in future installments. As the head of Encom's software team and a rival to Sam's vision, Dillinger was poised to be a key antagonist. The return of the Master Control Program (MCP) in "Ares," suggested by the red highlights on the characters, aligns with this setup. Yet, Murphy's absence from the sequel is puzzling, especially with Evan Peters playing Julian Dillinger, keeping the family lineage alive in the story.
Bruce Boxleitner’s Tron
The most surprising omission is Bruce Boxleitner's Tron. As both Alan Bradley and the heroic program Tron, his presence is integral to the franchise. With Tron's fate left open-ended in "Legacy," fans expect "Ares" to address his redemption arc. The absence of Boxleitner raises questions about whether Tron might be recast, possibly with Cameron Monaghan in the role.
Why Is Jeff Bridges in Tron: Ares? ----------------------------------The inclusion of Jeff Bridges, whose characters Kevin Flynn and CLU were seemingly killed off in "Legacy," adds another layer of intrigue. His voice in the "Ares" trailer suggests a possible return, perhaps as a digital entity or a new iteration of CLU. The exact nature of his involvement remains a mystery, but it's clear that "Ares" will explore new avenues, potentially at the cost of ignoring the established survivors from "Legacy."
While "Tron: Ares" promises exciting developments and a fresh musical direction with Nine Inch Nails, the absence of key characters from "Legacy" leaves fans both eager and perplexed about the direction of the franchise.
AnswerSee ResultsIn other Tron news, find out about the series return to the gaming realm with the Metroid/Hades hybrid Tron: Catalyst.