Tron: Ares: A Puzzling Sequel Unveiled

Tron enthusiasts have a thrilling reason to mark their calendars for October 2025. The long-awaited revival of the franchise is set to hit the big screen with the new sequel, "Tron: Ares." This third installment introduces Jared Leto as Ares, a program embarking on a high-stakes and enigmatic mission into the real world.

But can we truly label Ares as a sequel? Visually, the film is unmistakably connected to 2010's "Tron: Legacy," as evident from the newly released trailer. The shift from Daft Punk to Nine Inch Nails for the score maintains the series' signature electronica vibe, reinforcing its lineage.

Yet, in other respects, "Ares" seems to lean more towards a soft reboot than a direct continuation. Notably absent are the surviving characters from "Legacy." Why aren't stars Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde reprising their roles as Sam Flynn and Quorra? And why is Jeff Bridges, a veteran of the Tron universe, the only confirmed returnee? Let's delve into how "Legacy" set the stage for a sequel and why "Ares" appears to be diverging from that path.

TRON: Ares Images

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

"Tron: Legacy" 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, a telecom giant Encom's CEO who vanished in 1989, ventures into The Grid to rescue his father and thwart CLU, Kevin's creation, from invading the real world. During his quest, Sam encounters Quorra, an ISO, a spontaneously generated digital lifeform, symbolizing life's resilience within the digital realm. The film concludes with Sam defeating CLU and bringing Quorra into the real world, transforming her into a flesh-and-blood being.

"Legacy" ends with a clear sequel setup. Sam is ready to take his place as Encom's leading shareholder, aiming to steer the company towards a more open-source future, with Quorra by his side as a testament to the digital world's wonders. The home video release even features a short film, "Tron: The Next Day," showcasing Sam's return to Encom to usher in a new era.

However, despite these setups, neither Hedlund nor Wilde are slated to return for "Tron: Ares." Their absence is striking and suggests Disney's intention to steer the franchise in a more standalone direction. "Legacy" earned $409.9 million globally against a $170 million budget, not quite the blockbuster hit Disney hoped for. It joins the ranks of other underperforming films from that era, like "John Carter" and "The Lone Ranger." This might explain Disney's hesitance to directly continue the plot from "Legacy."

Nevertheless, Sam and Quorra are pivotal to the Tron narrative. Their absence raises questions about Sam's commitment to Encom and Quorra's adjustment to the real world. We hope "Ares" will at least nod to their significance, if not bring them back through surprise cameos.

The absence of other "Legacy" actors like Cillian Murphy, who played Edward Dillinger, Jr., is equally puzzling. Murphy's brief, uncredited cameo in "Legacy" set him up for a larger role in future sequels, likely as the human antagonist following in his father's footsteps from the original Tron. The "Tron: Ares" trailer hints at the return of the Master Control Program (MCP) with glowing red highlights on Ares and his allies, suggesting a sinister plot. Yet, Edward Dillinger, Jr.'s absence and the introduction of Gillian Anderson's new character on the Encom board are curious choices. Evan Peters' role as Julian Dillinger hints at the Dillinger family's continued involvement, but it's unclear if Murphy will return.

Bruce Boxleitner’s Tron

The most surprising omission from "Tron: Ares" is Bruce Boxleitner, the original Tron. In the first film, he played both Alan Bradley and the program Tron, reprising Alan in "Legacy" and revealing Rinzler as a reprogrammed Tron. With Tron's fate left open-ended in "Legacy," his absence from "Ares" is baffling. Could Tron have been recast with a younger actor like Cameron Monaghan? We hope "Ares" will address Tron's redemption and ensure his presence in some form.

The announcement of Jeff Bridges' return in "Tron: Ares" raises eyebrows, especially since both his characters, Kevin Flynn and CLU, met their demise in "Legacy." His voice in the trailer hints at his involvement, but whether he's playing a living Kevin Flynn or a resurrected CLU remains a mystery. Did CLU survive their shared fate, or did Flynn achieve digital immortality? "Ares" will likely unravel these mysteries, but the choice to bring back Bridges while sidelining other key survivors from "Legacy" is perplexing.

Despite these questions, the anticipation for "Tron: Ares" is palpable, and the prospect of a new score by Nine Inch Nails adds to the excitement.