Tron: Ares: A Truly Baffling Sequel Explained

Tron fans, get ready to dive back into the digital world in 2025! After a long hiatus, the iconic franchise is making a thrilling return to the big screen with "Tron: Ares," set to premiere in October. This third installment features Jared Leto as the enigmatic Ares, a program embarking on a mysterious mission that bridges the virtual and real worlds.

Is "Tron: Ares" a true sequel? Visually, it's a clear continuation of the aesthetic established in "Tron: Legacy" in 2010. The newly released trailer showcases the familiar sleek, neon-lit environments and confirms the franchise's continued emphasis on an electronica-heavy soundtrack, now with Nine Inch Nails taking the helm from Daft Punk.

However, "Ares" might be more of a soft reboot than a direct follow-up. Key characters from "Legacy," such as Garrett Hedlund's Sam Flynn and Olivia Wilde's Quorra, are notably absent. Why aren't these fan favorites returning? And why is Jeff Bridges, a veteran of the Tron series, the only confirmed returning cast member? Let's delve into how "Legacy" set up its sequel and why "Ares" appears to be forging a new path.

TRON: Ares Images

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

"Tron: Legacy" centered on the intertwined journeys of Sam Flynn and Quorra. Sam, the son of Kevin Flynn (played by Jeff Bridges), the CEO of Encom who vanished in 1989, ventures into The Grid to rescue his father and thwart CLU, Kevin's rogue creation, from invading the real world. Along the way, Sam encounters Quorra, an ISO—a digital lifeform symbolizing life's resilience within a simulation. By the film's end, Sam defeats CLU and returns to the real world with Quorra, who transitions from digital to flesh and blood.

The conclusion of "Legacy" paves a clear way for a sequel, with Sam ready to steer Encom towards a more transparent future, and Quorra serving as a testament to the digital realm's potential. The home video release even included "Tron: The Next Day," a short film depicting Sam's early steps in leading Encom.

Despite these setups, neither Hedlund nor Wilde are slated to reprise their roles in "Tron: Ares." Their absence raises questions about the narrative direction of the new film. "Legacy" earned $409.9 million globally on a $170 million budget, but it didn't meet Disney's expectations for a blockbuster hit. This may have prompted the studio to shift towards a more standalone story with "Ares." Yet, ignoring Sam and Quorra's established arcs leaves a significant gap in the franchise. Hopefully, "Ares" will find a way to acknowledge their legacy, perhaps through subtle nods or unexpected cameos.

The absence of Cillian Murphy, who portrayed Edward Dillinger, Jr. in "Legacy," is equally perplexing. Introduced as the head of Encom's software development and a foil to Sam's open-source ideals, Dillinger was poised for a larger role in future sequels, possibly as a human antagonist reminiscent of his father's role in the original "Tron." The "Ares" trailer hints at the return of the Master Control Program (MCP), indicated by the red highlights on Ares and other programs, suggesting a darker narrative thread. Yet, without Dillinger, this connection feels incomplete. Evan Peters is set to play Julian Dillinger, indicating the family's continued involvement, and there's a chance Murphy could return in an unannounced role.

Bruce Boxleitner’s Tron

Perhaps the most surprising omission from "Tron: Ares" is Bruce Boxleitner, who played both Alan Bradley and the titular Tron in the original film and reprised Alan in "Legacy." The last we saw of Tron, he was restored to his heroic self after falling into the Sea of Simulation. Not having Boxleitner return for either role raises questions about the film's direction. Is Tron being recast, perhaps with Cameron Monaghan in the role? Regardless, "Ares" should address Tron's unresolved fate from "Legacy" and include him in some capacity, given his central role in the franchise.

The most intriguing aspect of "Tron: Ares" is Jeff Bridges' return, despite both of his characters, Kevin Flynn and CLU, being killed off in "Legacy." The trailer teases Bridges' voice, leaving fans wondering whether he might play a still-living Flynn or a version of CLU. Could CLU have survived their shared demise, or did Flynn keep a backup? Perhaps Flynn has achieved a form of digital immortality within The Grid. These mysteries will unfold in "Ares," which must navigate the tricky balance of resurrecting Bridges' characters while addressing the absence of other key figures from "Legacy."

As we eagerly await "Tron: Ares," the film's departure from established narrative threads leaves us both excited and curious. The promise of a thrilling new chapter, coupled with the iconic electronica score by Nine Inch Nails, ensures that the Tron legacy continues to evolve in fascinating ways.