Tron: Ares: A Confusing Sequel Unveiled

Tron fans have plenty to be excited about in 2025. After a long hiatus, the iconic franchise is set to return to the big screen this October with a new sequel, "Tron: Ares." This third installment features Jared Leto as the titular character, a program embarking on a mysterious and high-stakes mission in the real world.

But can we truly label Ares as a sequel? Visually, the film closely aligns with 2010's "Tron: Legacy," as evident from the newly released trailer. The shift from Daft Punk to Nine Inch Nails for the score maintains the franchise's signature electronica vibe, underscoring its importance.

However, in other respects, "Ares" leans more towards a soft reboot than a direct sequel. The absence of key characters from "Legacy," such as Garrett Hedlund’s Sam Flynn and Olivia Wilde’s Quorra, raises questions. Why aren't these stars returning? And why is Jeff Bridges, a veteran of the Tron universe, the only confirmed cast member from the previous films? Let's delve into how "Legacy" set the stage for a sequel and why "Ares" appears to deviate from that narrative.

TRON: Ares Images

2 ImagesGarrett 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, the son of Kevin Flynn (played by Jeff Bridges), the CEO of Encom who vanished in 1989, enters The Grid to rescue his father and thwart CLU's plan to invade the real world with a digital army.

During his quest, Sam reconnects with his father and encounters Quorra, an ISO—a digital being that emerged spontaneously within The Grid. Quorra represents the potential for life within digital realms. After defeating CLU, Sam returns to the real world with Quorra, who transitions from a digital entity to a flesh-and-blood being.

The conclusion of "Legacy" paves a clear path for a sequel. Sam is poised to take on his role as Encom's major shareholder, steering the company towards a more open-source future, with Quorra by his side as a testament to the marvels of digital life.

Despite this setup, neither Hedlund nor Wilde are returning for "Tron: Ares," their absence leaving a significant gap in the narrative. Disney's decision to pivot might stem from "Legacy's" box office performance, which, while not a failure, fell short of expectations, grossing $409.9 million against a $170 million budget. This, combined with other underperforming live-action films from that period, might have prompted Disney to explore a new direction for "Ares."

Yet, Sam and Quorra's roles were central to "Tron: Legacy," making their exclusion from "Ares" notable. Have they abandoned their missions? The sequel should at least acknowledge their significance, if not through direct appearances.

The absence of Cillian Murphy from "Ares" is equally puzzling. His character, Edward Dillinger, Jr., introduced briefly in "Legacy," was poised for a larger role in a sequel, potentially as the human antagonist, echoing his father's role in the original "Tron."

The "Tron: Ares" trailer hints at the return of the Master Control Program (MCP), suggested by the red glow on Ares and other programs, reminiscent of the MCP's signature. This raises questions about Dillinger's absence and the introduction of Gillian Anderson's new character at Encom. However, Evan Peters' role as Julian Dillinger suggests the family's continued involvement, leaving room for Murphy's possible unannounced return.

Bruce Boxleitner’s Tron

The most surprising omission from "Tron: Ares" is Bruce Boxleitner, the actor behind both Alan Bradley and the iconic Tron. His absence from the sequel, especially given Tron's ambiguous fate at the end of "Legacy," where he was last seen falling into the Sea of Simulation and regaining his original programming, is baffling. A "Tron" film without Tron himself feels incomplete. Could Cameron Monaghan's character be a recast of Tron? Regardless, "Ares" needs to address Tron's unresolved storyline.

Jeff Bridges' return to the "Tron" franchise for "Ares" is the most intriguing aspect of the sequel, especially since both his characters, Kevin Flynn and CLU, were killed off in "Legacy." His voice is heard in the trailer, but it's unclear whether he's reprising Kevin Flynn or CLU. Could CLU have survived their shared demise, or did Flynn have a backup? Or has Flynn transcended into The Grid's digital realm?

"Tron: Ares" promises to unravel these mysteries, exploring whether Ares is aligned with Flynn, CLU, or the MCP. Despite the excitement for the new film, the decision to revive Bridges' characters while sidelining key survivors from "Legacy" leaves fans puzzled. Nonetheless, the anticipation for Nine Inch Nails' score adds to the excitement.