Tron: Ares: A Confusing Sequel Unveiled

Tron enthusiasts have plenty to look forward to in 2025. After a significant hiatus, the beloved franchise is set to return to cinemas this October with a new installment titled "Tron: Ares." The film introduces Jared Leto as the enigmatic program Ares, who embarks on a high-stakes mission that blurs the lines between the digital and real worlds.

While "Tron: Ares" visually aligns itself with its predecessor, "Tron: Legacy," released in 2010, the connection runs deeper with the inclusion of an electronica-heavy score by Nine Inch Nails, stepping in for the iconic Daft Punk. The newly released trailer showcases these connections vividly.

However, "Ares" appears to be less of a direct sequel and more of a soft reboot. The absence of key characters from "Legacy," such as Garrett Hedlund's Sam Flynn and Olivia Wilde's Quorra, raises questions about the continuity. Why aren't these pivotal figures returning, and why is Jeff Bridges, a veteran of the franchise, the only confirmed returning actor? Let's delve deeper into how "Legacy" set the stage for a sequel and why "Ares" seems to be veering away from that path.

TRON: Ares Images

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

"Tron: Legacy" primarily focused on the intertwined journeys of Sam Flynn, portrayed by Garrett Hedlund, and Quorra, portrayed by Olivia Wilde. Sam, the son of Jeff Bridges' character Kevin Flynn, ventures into The Grid to rescue his father and thwart the digital tyrant CLU's plan to invade the real world. Along the way, Sam encounters Quorra, an ISO, a digital lifeform representing the potential for life within the digital realm. The film concludes with Sam defeating CLU and bringing Quorra back to the real world, setting up a promising narrative for a sequel.

The ending of "Legacy" positions Sam to take a more active role in leading Encom towards a future of openness and innovation, with Quorra as a testament to the wonders of the digital world. This storyline was further explored in the short film "Tron: The Next Day," which showed Sam beginning to steer Encom in a new direction.

Despite these setups, neither Hedlund nor Wilde are slated to return for "Tron: Ares." Their absence is notable and suggests a shift in the franchise's direction. Disney's decision may be influenced by "Legacy's" box office performance, which, while not a failure, did not meet expectations with a worldwide gross of $409.9 million against a $170 million budget. The studio might be opting for a more standalone approach with "Ares," distancing itself from the less successful elements of the past.

However, Sam and Quorra's roles were too integral to the "Tron" narrative to be overlooked. Their absence leaves a significant gap in the story. It remains to be seen whether "Ares" will acknowledge their contributions or perhaps surprise fans with their return in unexpected ways.

The absence of Cillian Murphy, who played Edward Dillinger, Jr. in "Legacy," is equally perplexing. Introduced as the head of Encom's software development and an adversary to Sam's open-source vision, Dillinger was clearly set up for a larger role in a future sequel, possibly as the main human antagonist. His connection to the original Tron's villain, the Master Control Program (MCP), hinted at a deeper narrative arc.

The "Tron: Ares" trailer suggests the MCP might play a role again, with characters marked by the MCP's signature red highlights. However, without Dillinger's return, the connection feels incomplete. The introduction of Gillian Anderson's new character at Encom and Evan Peters as Julian Dillinger adds layers to the story, yet leaves fans wondering about Murphy's potential involvement.

Bruce Boxleitner’s Tron

The most surprising omission from "Tron: Ares" is Bruce Boxleitner, who portrayed both Alan Bradley and the titular hero, Tron, in the original film. In "Legacy," Boxleitner reprised his role as Alan, while Tron, reprogrammed as Rinzler, met an uncertain fate. The absence of Boxleitner in "Ares" raises questions about the film's direction. Will Tron be recast with a younger actor, possibly played by Cameron Monaghan? Regardless, the narrative of "Ares" should address Tron's fate and provide the character with the redemption he deserves.

The return of Jeff Bridges to the "Tron" franchise is perhaps the most intriguing aspect of "Ares." Both of his characters, Kevin Flynn and CLU, were seemingly killed off in "Legacy." Yet, Bridges' voice can be heard in the trailer, hinting at his involvement. Is he reprising a version of Flynn or CLU? Could CLU have survived, or did Flynn achieve some form of digital immortality? These mysteries will unfold in "Ares," which must also clarify Ares' mission and his alignment with either Flynn/CLU or the MCP.

While "Tron: Ares" promises to bring exciting new elements to the franchise, the absence of key characters from "Legacy" and the return of Bridges leaves fans both excited and puzzled. The one certainty is the anticipation for Nine Inch Nails' electrifying score.