Tron enthusiasts have plenty to celebrate in 2025. After a significant hiatus, the beloved franchise is set to return to the big screen this October with a new installment titled Tron: Ares. This third entry in the series features Jared Leto as the titular character, a program embarking on a high-stakes, enigmatic mission in the real world.
Is Ares a true sequel, though? Visually, it's undeniably linked to 2010's Tron: Legacy, as the newly released trailer clearly demonstrates. The shift from Daft Punk to Nine Inch Nails for the score underscores the franchise's continued commitment to a compelling electronica soundtrack.
However, Ares appears to lean more toward a soft reboot rather than a direct continuation. 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 reprising their roles? And why is Jeff Bridges, a veteran of the franchise, the only confirmed returning actor? Let's delve into how Legacy set the stage for a sequel and why Ares seems to be sidestepping that setup.
TRON: Ares Images
Garrett Hedlund’s Sam Flynn & Olivia Wilde’s Quorra
Tron: Legacy primarily focused on the intertwined journeys of Garrett Hedlund's Sam Flynn and Olivia Wilde's Quorra. Sam, the son of Jeff Bridges' character Kevin Flynn, ventures into The Grid to rescue his father and thwart CLU's plan to invade the real world. Along the way, he meets Quorra, an ISO, a digital lifeform representing the potential for life within a simulated world. Their story concludes with Sam returning to the real world with Quorra, setting the stage for a sequel.
Legacy ends with Sam ready to take his place as Encom's leader, ushering in a new era of openness and innovation, with Quorra by his side as a symbol of digital possibilities. The home video release even included a short film, "Tron: The Next Day," which further developed this narrative arc.
Despite this clear setup, neither Hedlund nor Wilde are slated to return in Tron: Ares. This absence is notable, especially given Legacy's $409.9 million worldwide gross on a $170 million budget. While not a failure, it didn't meet Disney's expectations, possibly prompting a pivot to a more standalone story. However, Sam and Quorra are integral to the Tron saga, and their exclusion leaves a significant gap. We hope Ares will at least acknowledge their importance.
Cillian Murphy’s Edward Dillinger, Jr.
Cillian Murphy's brief, uncredited appearance in Legacy as Edward Dillinger, Jr., hinted at a larger role in future films. As the head of Encom's software development, he was poised to become a central human antagonist. The Ares trailer suggests the return of the Master Control Program (MCP), with its signature red highlights, yet Dillinger, Jr. is missing. Instead, Evan Peters will play Julian Dillinger, keeping the family legacy alive, but the absence of Murphy remains puzzling.
Bruce Boxleitner’s Tron
The most surprising omission is Bruce Boxleitner, who played both Alan Bradley and the iconic Tron. His character's fate was left open-ended in Legacy, with Tron's redemption arc seemingly incomplete. The absence of Boxleitner in Ares raises questions about the film's direction and whether Tron will be recast or omitted entirely.
Why Is Jeff Bridges in Tron: Ares?
The most perplexing news is Jeff Bridges' return to the franchise, despite his characters' apparent demise in Legacy. Kevin Flynn's sacrifice to defeat CLU left little room for his survival. Yet, Bridges' voice in the Ares trailer suggests he might be playing a version of Flynn or CLU. How this will be explained remains a mystery, but it underscores the film's unconventional approach to the series' continuity.
While Tron: Ares promises excitement and a fresh take on the franchise, its departure from the established narrative of Legacy leaves fans curious and slightly perplexed. Nevertheless, the inclusion of Nine Inch Nails' score hints at the continued evolution of Tron's iconic soundscape.
