An AI program enters the real world in TRON: Ares.
Disney’s 1982 cult classic, TRON, has made a significant impact on cinema, merging live action with pioneering visual effects that featured computer-generated imagery. This groundbreaking approach has influenced not only the film industry but also shaped elements of nerd culture. Over the years, the franchise has expanded to include one sequel, an animated television series, comic books, video games, and various theme park attractions based on the vision of director Steve Lisberger.
The franchise is set to welcome its third film, titled TRON: Ares. Directed by Joachim Rønning, known for his work on Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, this new installment acts as a standalone sequel to 2010’s TRON: Legacy. Disney has unveiled the first trailer and promotional artwork, showcasing striking visuals that fans have come to expect from the series, though the plot details remain scarce.
(Spoilers for ending of TRON: Legacy below.)
At the conclusion of TRON: Legacy, Sam Flynn (played by Garrett Hedlund), the son of original character Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), successfully prevents the digital realm from merging with the real world—a scheme orchestrated by the malevolent program Clu. He escapes with Quorra (Olivia Wilde), a unique isomorphic algorithm marked for elimination by Clu.
In the upcoming movie, Jared Leto takes on the role of Ares, an advanced program transitioning from the digital landscape to the real world.
Additionally, Greta Lee portrays Eve Kim, who navigates the chaos as the boundaries between the digital and real worlds blur.
Disney initially announced a third TRON film back in October 2010, which aimed to continue the story of Sam and Quorra as Sam took charge of his father’s company, ENCOM. However, the project was scrapped in 2015, purportedly due to the underwhelming box office returns of Tomorrowland. The project was revived in 2020, evolving into a standalone reboot rather than a direct sequel to Legacy. The character of Ares had been included in earlier drafts before the reimagining. After navigating delays due to the pandemic and Hollywood strikes, the film is finally slated for release in the fall.
The official synopsis summarizes: “TRON: Ares follows a highly sophisticated Program, Ares, who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings.” Joining Leto in the cast are Evan Peters, playing Julian Dillinger, and Greta Lee as Eve Kim. The ensemble also includes Jodie Turner-Smith, Cameron Monaghan, Sarah Desjardins, Hasan Minhaj, Arturo Castro, and Gillian Anderson in undisclosed roles. Jeff Bridges will reprise his role as Kevin Flynn, while the film’s score is composed by Nine Inch Nails.
TRON: Ares is scheduled to premiere in theaters on October 10, 2025.
