Tron: Ares: A Confusing Follow-Up Explained

Tron fans have a lot to look forward to in 2025. After a long hiatus, the beloved franchise is set to return to the big screen this October with a new installment, "Tron: Ares." This third movie in the series stars Jared Leto as the titular character, Ares, a program who embarks on a mysterious and high-stakes mission into the real world.

While "Tron: Ares" clearly shares the visual style of 2010's "Tron: Legacy," as evident in the newly released trailer, it also introduces significant changes. The electronica-heavy score remains a priority, with Nine Inch Nails taking over from Daft Punk. However, the film appears to be less of a direct sequel and more of a soft reboot. This raises questions about the absence of key characters from "Legacy," such as Garrett Hedlund's Sam Flynn and Olivia Wilde's Quorra. Additionally, the inclusion of Jeff Bridges, a veteran of the Tron series, adds to the intrigue.

TRON: Ares Images

2 ImagesGarrett Hedlund’s Sam Flynn & Olivia Wilde’s Quorra

"Tron: Legacy" primarily focuses on 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 CLU's plan to invade the real world. Alongside his father, Sam meets Quorra, an ISO, a digital lifeform symbolizing the emergence of life within a computer simulation. The movie concludes with Sam defeating CLU and returning to the real world with Quorra, setting the stage for a sequel.

The ending of "Legacy" suggests a clear path forward: Sam steps up to lead Encom into a new era of openness, with Quorra as his ally. This is further explored in the short film "Tron: The Next Day," included in the home video release, where Sam begins to transform Encom. However, the absence of Hedlund and Wilde in "Tron: Ares" indicates a shift in direction. "Legacy" earned $409.9 million worldwide on a $170 million budget, which, while not a failure, didn't meet Disney's expectations. This might have influenced the decision to steer "Ares" towards a more standalone narrative.

The lack of Sam and Quorra in "Ares" leaves a significant gap in the franchise's continuity. It raises questions about their fate and whether "Ares" will address their importance, perhaps through acknowledgment or unannounced cameos.

The absence of Cillian Murphy's Edward Dillinger, Jr., is equally puzzling. In "Legacy," Murphy's brief appearance set the stage for a larger role in future installments, potentially as the main human antagonist. The "Tron: Ares" trailer hints at the return of the Master Control Program (MCP), with Ares and other programs sporting the MCP's signature red highlights. This suggests a darker undertone to Ares' mission, but the absence of Dillinger, Jr., and the introduction of Gillian Anderson's new character on the Encom board remain unexplained. However, Evan Peters will play Julian Dillinger, indicating the Dillinger family's continued involvement. There's still a chance Murphy might return in an uncredited role.

Bruce Boxleitner’s Tron

The most surprising omission from "Tron: Ares" is Bruce Boxleitner, who played both Alan Bradley and the iconic Tron in the original film. In "Legacy," Tron's character, reprogrammed as Rinzler, was last seen falling into the Sea of Simulation, hinting at a potential redemption arc. Boxleitner's absence from "Ares" raises questions about the film's direction. Could Tron be recast with a younger actor, possibly Cameron Monaghan? Regardless, fans hope "Ares" will address Tron's fate and include him in some form, given his significance to the franchise.

The announcement of Jeff Bridges' return to the Tron universe in "Ares" is particularly intriguing, given that both his characters, Kevin Flynn and CLU, were killed off in "Legacy." The trailer features Bridges' voice, but it's unclear whether he's reprising his role as Flynn, CLU, or a new character. The mystery of how Flynn or CLU could return, possibly through digital immortality or a backup, adds to the anticipation for "Ares." However, the inclusion of Bridges while excluding other key "Legacy" survivors adds to the film's perplexing nature.

Despite these questions, "Tron: Ares" promises an exciting new chapter for the franchise, enhanced by the anticipated score from Nine Inch Nails. As fans eagerly await its release, the film's approach to balancing new directions with the legacy of its predecessors will be crucial to its success.