Tron: Ares: A Confusing Sequel Explained

Tron fans have a thrilling reason to celebrate in 2025. After a long hiatus, the beloved franchise is set to return to the big screen with a new sequel, "Tron: Ares," slated for release this October. The film stars Jared Leto as Ares, a program embarking on a high-stakes, mysterious mission into the real world.

While "Tron: Ares" visually echoes 2010's "Tron: Legacy," as evident from the newly released trailer, it raises questions about its status as a direct sequel. With Nine Inch Nails taking over the soundtrack from Daft Punk, the iconic electronica score remains a vital element. However, the absence of key "Legacy" characters and actors like Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde suggests that "Ares" might be more of a soft reboot than a straightforward continuation.

TRON: Ares Images

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

"Tron: Legacy" focuses on the intertwined journeys of Sam Flynn, played by Garrett Hedlund, and Quorra, portrayed by Olivia Wilde. Sam, the son of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), the CEO of Encom, ventures into The Grid to rescue his father and thwart CLU's plan to invade the real world. In the process, Sam meets Quorra, an ISO, a digital lifeform, symbolizing life's persistence even within a computer simulation. The film concludes with Sam defeating CLU and bringing Quorra into the real world as a flesh-and-blood being.

The ending of "Legacy" sets a clear stage for a sequel, with Sam ready to lead Encom towards an open-source future and Quorra embodying the potential of the digital world. Yet, neither Hedlund nor Wilde are returning for "Tron: Ares," despite their central roles. "Legacy" earned $409.9 million worldwide against a $170 million budget, falling short of Disney's expectations. This might have influenced the decision to pivot the franchise in a new direction. However, the absence of Sam and Quorra raises questions about their fate and the narrative continuity of the series.

Cillian Murphy's brief appearance as Edward Dillinger, Jr., in "Legacy" hinted at a larger role in future installments. As the head of Encom's software development team and an adversary to Sam's open-source vision, Dillinger, Jr., was poised to be a significant antagonist. With the Master Control Program (MCP) possibly returning in "Ares," as suggested by the red highlights on Ares and other programs, the absence of Murphy is puzzling. However, Evan Peters will portray Julian Dillinger, indicating the family's continued involvement. There's still a chance that Murphy might return in an unannounced role.

Bruce Boxleitner’s Tron

The exclusion of Bruce Boxleitner, who played both Alan Bradley and the iconic Tron in the original film and reprised his role in "Legacy," is particularly baffling. While Alan's absence can be explained, omitting Tron from a "Tron" movie raises questions about the film's direction. It remains to be seen if Tron's role will be recast, possibly with Cameron Monaghan, or if his storyline from "Legacy" will be addressed.

The return of Jeff Bridges to the "Tron" franchise is perhaps the most surprising element of "Tron: Ares." Both Kevin Flynn and CLU were killed off in "Legacy," yet Bridges' voice is heard in the trailer. Whether he's reprising Flynn, CLU, or a new character remains a mystery. The film will need to explain how Flynn or CLU could reappear and how Ares fits into their story. This resurrection of Bridges' character(s) while ignoring other surviving "Legacy" characters adds to the intrigue and confusion surrounding "Ares."

Despite these narrative puzzles, fans can look forward to the atmospheric score by Nine Inch Nails, promising to maintain the series' signature sound. As we eagerly await "Tron: Ares," the franchise's direction continues to captivate and perplex.