TRON: Ares Sparks New Excitement for 2025
After years of anticipation, the Tron franchise makes its long-awaited return this October with Tron: Ares. This third installment stars Jared Leto as the enigmatic program who crosses into our world on a shadowy mission.
Sequel or Reboot?
While visually continuing Legacy's neon-drenched aesthetic, as seen in the newly revealed trailer, Ares feels more like a fresh start than a direct follow-up. With Nine Inch Nails replacing Daft Punk for the soundtrack, the electronic soul of the franchise remains intact - but key Legacy characters are notably absent.
Missing Legends
Garrett Hedlund's Sam Flynn and Olivia Wilde's Quorra, Legacy's central duo, won't be returning. Their absence raises questions: Did Sam abandon his mission to revolutionize Encom? Has Quorra struggled to adapt to human life? Legacy's post-credits scene hinted at their continued journey, making their excision from Ares particularly puzzling.
Given Legacy's $409.9 million box office performance against its $170 million budget, Disney likely opted for a cleaner slate. While not a flop, it didn't achieve the breakout success the studio hoped for during their pre-Marvel/Star Wars live-action era.
Unresolved Threads
Cillian Murphy's brief but pivotal appearance as Edward Dillinger Jr. in Legacy suggested future antagonistic plans that now appear abandoned. Interestingly, Evan Peters will portray a character named Julian Dillinger, maintaining some franchise continuity.
Most shocking is Bruce Boxleitner's absence. After Tron's dramatic return to form in Legacy's climax, the character's namesake exclusion feels particularly jarring. Could Cameron Monaghan be playing a recast version?
Bridges' Mysterious Return
Jeff Bridges' confirmed involvement creates the biggest mystery. With both Kevin Flynn and CLU meeting definitive ends in Legacy, how exactly will the Oscar-winner reappear? The trailer offers only cryptic vocal snippets, leaving fans to speculate about digital resurrections or backup protocols.
While the NIN-powered soundtrack promises an auditory treat, Ares leaves numerous questions about its relationship to established lore. This bold new direction either represents a fresh start for the franchise or risks alienating longtime fans. Only time will tell if this gamble pays off in the Grid.
In related news, the franchise returns to gaming with the Metroidvania-style Tron: Catalyst.
