"Tron: Ares: A Puzzling Sequel Unveiled"

Tron fans have a lot to look forward to in 2025 as the franchise makes a thrilling return to the big screen with "Tron: Ares," set to premiere in October. Starring Jared Leto as the enigmatic program Ares, the film promises a high-stakes adventure as he embarks on a mysterious mission into the real world. But is "Ares" truly a sequel to "Tron: Legacy," or does it represent a fresh start for the beloved series?

Visually, "Ares" is unmistakably linked to its predecessor, "Tron: Legacy," from 2010. The newly released trailer showcases this connection, and with Nine Inch Nails taking over from Daft Punk, the film maintains its iconic electronica-heavy score. However, "Ares" appears to deviate from being a direct sequel and leans more towards a soft reboot of the franchise. Notably, familiar faces from "Legacy" such as Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde are absent, raising questions about the continuity of the narrative.

While Jeff Bridges, a veteran of the Tron series, is confirmed to return, the absence of other key characters from "Legacy" suggests a new direction. Let's delve into how "Legacy" set up its sequel and explore why "Ares" seems to be moving away from that setup.

TRON: Ares Images

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

"Tron: Legacy" primarily focused on the journey of Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund) and Quorra (Olivia Wilde). Sam, the son of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), ventures into The Grid to rescue his father and thwart the digital uprising led by CLU. Alongside his father, Sam encounters Quorra, an ISO—a digital being representing life within the computer simulation. The film concludes with Sam defeating CLU and returning to the real world with Quorra, setting the stage for future adventures.

The ending of "Legacy" clearly positioned Sam and Quorra for a sequel, with Sam ready to lead Encom towards an open-source future and Quorra embodying the potential of digital life. The home video release included "Tron: The Next Day," further hinting at Sam's continued journey at Encom. Yet, their absence in "Ares" suggests a shift in focus, possibly due to "Legacy's" box office performance, which, while successful, did not meet Disney's expectations.

Despite this shift, the absence of Sam and Quorra leaves a significant gap in the narrative. Fans are left wondering about their fates and hoping "Ares" acknowledges their importance to the Tron universe.

Cillian Murphy's brief appearance as Edward Dillinger, Jr. in "Legacy" also poses questions about his absence in "Ares." Dillinger was set up as a potential antagonist in future installments, mirroring his father's role in the original "Tron." The "Ares" trailer hints at the return of the Master Control Program (MCP), yet Dillinger's absence is notable. However, Evan Peters playing Julian Dillinger suggests the family's legacy continues in the new film.

Bruce Boxleitner’s Tron

Another significant omission is Bruce Boxleitner, who played both Alan Bradley and the heroic program Tron. His absence in "Ares" is particularly puzzling, given the character's importance to the franchise. The fate of Tron, last seen falling into the Sea of Simulation, remains unresolved, and fans hope "Ares" will address this.

The most intriguing aspect of "Ares" is Jeff Bridges' return, despite both of his "Legacy" characters being killed off. His voice can be heard in the trailer, yet it's unclear whether he's reprising Kevin Flynn or CLU. This raises questions about the narrative direction and how "Ares" plans to integrate or resurrect these characters.

While "Tron: Ares" promises to deliver an exciting new chapter in the Tron saga, it also leaves fans puzzled about the continuity and the absence of key characters from "Legacy." As we eagerly await its release, the new score by Nine Inch Nails is already generating buzz, promising to keep the series' signature sound alive.