Tron: Ares: A Puzzling Sequel Explained

Tron fans, get ready for an electrifying comeback in 2025! After a long hiatus, the beloved franchise is set to dazzle audiences with a new installment, Tron: Ares, hitting theaters this October. Starring Jared Leto as the enigmatic program Ares, this film promises a thrilling journey as he embarks on a mysterious mission that extends into the real world.

But can we truly label Ares as a sequel? Visually, it's a clear successor to 2010's Tron: Legacy. The newly released trailer showcases the same stunning aesthetic, and with Nine Inch Nails taking over from Daft Punk, the iconic electronica score remains a focal point. However, Ares seems to be steering away from being a direct continuation, leaning more towards a soft reboot of the franchise. The absence of key characters from Legacy raises questions: Where are Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde? Why is Jeff Bridges the only returning cast member from the previous film? Let's delve deeper into how Legacy set the stage for a sequel and why Ares appears to be taking a different 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' Kevin Flynn, ventures into The Grid to rescue his father and thwart CLU's plans to invade the real world. Alongside his father, Sam encounters Quorra, an ISO—a digital lifeform symbolizing the emergence of life within a computer simulation. The film concludes with Sam defeating CLU and bringing Quorra into the real world, setting the stage for a sequel where Sam embraces his role at Encom, pushing for a more open-source future, while Quorra embodies the wonders of the digital realm.

Despite this setup, neither Hedlund nor Wilde are slated to return in Tron: Ares. This absence is surprising, especially given Legacy's box office performance, which, while not a blockbuster, grossed $409.9 million worldwide against a $170 million budget. Disney's decision to pivot away from Legacy's storyline may stem from the film's moderate success, akin to other underperforming projects like John Carter and The Lone Ranger. However, ignoring Sam and Quorra's pivotal roles leaves a significant gap in the franchise's continuity. We hope Ares will at least nod to their importance, perhaps through unexpected cameos.

Cillian Murphy’s Edward Dillinger, Jr.

The absence of Cillian Murphy, who played Edward Dillinger, Jr., in a brief uncredited role in Legacy, is equally puzzling. Dillinger, Jr., was poised to become a central antagonist in future sequels, mirroring his father's role in the original Tron. The Ares trailer suggests the return of the Master Control Program (MCP), indicated by the glowing red highlights on Ares and his allies—a hallmark of the MCP's influence. Yet, without Dillinger, Jr., and with Gillian Anderson's new character taking the spotlight at Encom, the narrative direction seems shifted. Evan Peters' role as Julian Dillinger suggests the family's involvement, but it remains to be seen if Murphy will make a surprise return.

Bruce Boxleitner’s Tron

Perhaps the most glaring omission from Tron: Ares is Bruce Boxleitner, the actor behind both Alan Bradley and the iconic Tron. His absence from the sequel raises questions about the film's identity—can it truly be a Tron movie without Tron? The character's fate in Legacy, where he was revealed as the reprogrammed Rinzler, left room for redemption and a significant role in future stories. Whether Boxleitner is replaced by a younger actor, such as Cameron Monaghan, remains unclear, but fans hope Ares will address Tron's unresolved storyline.

Why Is Jeff Bridges in Tron: Ares?

The most surprising aspect of Tron: Ares is Jeff Bridges' return, despite both his characters—Kevin Flynn and CLU—being killed off in Legacy. The trailer hints at Bridges' involvement, but whether he's reprising Flynn, CLU, or a new role remains a mystery. Could CLU have survived? Did Flynn create a backup of CLU? Or has Flynn transcended into The Grid's digital eternity? These questions will be answered in Ares, but the decision to bring back Bridges while sidelining other key survivors from Legacy adds to the film's perplexing nature. Despite these uncertainties, the anticipation for Tron: Ares is high, fueled in part by the promising sounds of Nine Inch Nails' score.