Tron: Ares: A Puzzling Sequel Unveiled

Tron fans have a thrilling reason to be excited in 2025. After a long 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 and mysterious mission into the real world.

Is Tron: Ares a true sequel? Visually, it's unmistakably connected to 2010's Tron: Legacy, as evidenced by the newly released trailer. The switch from Daft Punk to Nine Inch Nails for the score keeps the franchise's signature electronica vibe alive and well.

However, Ares appears to be more of a soft reboot than a direct continuation. Noticeably absent are key characters from Legacy—where are Garrett Hedlund's Sam Flynn and Olivia Wilde's Quorra? Why isn't Jeff Bridges, a veteran of the Tron series, the only returning cast member? Let's delve into how Legacy set up its sequel and why Ares seems to be diverging from that path.

TRON: Ares Images

2 Images - Garrett Hedlund’s Sam Flynn & Olivia Wilde’s Quorra

Tron: Legacy primarily focuses on the intertwined journeys of Garrett Hedlund's Sam Flynn and Olivia Wilde's Quorra. Sam, son of Jeff Bridges' character Kevin Flynn, the CEO of Encom, ventures into The Grid to rescue his father and thwart Kevin's rogue creation, CLU, from invading the real world. During his journey, Sam encounters Quorra, an ISO, a spontaneously generated digital lifeform symbolizing the potential for life within a digital universe. The film concludes with Sam defeating CLU, returning to the real world with Quorra, who transitions from a digital being to a physical one.

The ending of Legacy paves a clear way for a sequel. Sam is poised to take a more active role in Encom, steering it towards a future of openness and innovation, with Quorra as a testament to the wonders of the digital realm. The home video release even included a short film, "Tron: The Next Day," showing Sam's return to Encom to lead it into a new era.

Despite this setup, neither Hedlund nor Wilde are returning for Tron: Ares, a significant omission that suggests Disney is steering the franchise in a new, more standalone direction. Legacy earned $409.9 million worldwide against a $170 million budget (excluding marketing costs), which, while not a failure, fell short of expectations. Like other underperforming live-action films from that period, such as John Carter and The Lone Ranger, it may have influenced Disney's decision to pivot away from direct continuation.

However, ignoring Sam and Quorra, pivotal to the Tron narrative, leaves a significant gap. Are we to assume Sam abandoned his mission at Encom? Did Quorra return to The Grid? While Ares may not bring these characters back, we hope it at least acknowledges their significance.

Cillian Murphy’s Edward Dillinger, Jr.

The absence of Cillian Murphy, who played Edward Dillinger, Jr., in Legacy, is also puzzling. His brief appearance hinted at a larger role in future sequels, likely as the main human antagonist following in his father's footsteps from the original Tron. The return of the Master Control Program (MCP) in the Ares trailer, indicated by the red highlights, suggests a dark undertone to Ares' mission. Yet, without Dillinger, Jr., and with Gillian Anderson's new character taking the spotlight at Encom, the narrative feels disconnected. However, Evan Peters' character, Julian Dillinger, may carry forward the family's legacy, and it's possible Murphy could still return in a surprise 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 and reprised Alan in Legacy. The absence of Tron, especially after his redemption arc in Legacy, raises questions about the film's direction. Is the plan to recast Tron with a younger actor like Cameron Monaghan? Whatever the case, Ares needs to address Tron's fate and incorporate him into the story in some form.

Why Is Jeff Bridges in Tron: Ares?

The most intriguing aspect of Tron: Ares is the return of Jeff Bridges, whose characters, Kevin Flynn and CLU, were both killed off in Legacy. His voice in the trailer hints at his involvement, but whether he's playing a resurrected Flynn, a surviving CLU, or a digital entity transcending death remains to be seen. This mystery will be unraveled in Ares, along with Ares' true mission and allegiances. While we eagerly anticipate Tron: Ares, the absence of other key characters from Legacy and the return of Bridges leave us both excited and perplexed.

Nevertheless, the promise of a new score by Nine Inch Nails is certainly something to look forward to.

AnswerSee ResultsIn other Tron news, find out about the series' return to the gaming realm with the Metroid/Hades hybrid Tron: Catalyst.