Tron: Ares: A Truly Baffling Sequel Explained

Tron fans have reason to celebrate in 2025. After a prolonged hiatus, the beloved franchise is set to return to theaters this October with a new installment titled "Tron: Ares." Starring Jared Leto as the titular program, Ares embarks on a high-stakes and enigmatic mission that bridges the digital and real worlds.

But is it accurate to label "Ares" as a sequel? Visually, the film shares a clear lineage with 2010's "Tron: Legacy," as evidenced by the newly released trailer. The switch from Daft Punk to Nine Inch Nails for the score indicates that the franchise's signature electronica remains a key element.

However, "Ares" appears to be more of a soft reboot than a direct follow-up. The absence of key "Legacy" characters, like those played by Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde, raises questions. Why aren't these stars returning, and why is Jeff Bridges, a veteran of the Tron series, the only confirmed returning cast member? Let's delve into how "Legacy" set the stage for a sequel and why "Ares" seems to be diverging from that path.

TRON: Ares Images

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

"Tron: Legacy" focused on the intertwined journeys of Garrett Hedlund's Sam Flynn and Olivia Wilde's Quorra. Sam, the son of Jeff Bridges' character Kevin Flynn, ventures into The Grid to rescue his father and thwart CLU, Kevin's rogue creation, from invading the real world. During his quest, Sam meets Quorra, an ISO, a digital lifeform born spontaneously within The Grid. Quorra represents the potential for life within a computer simulation. At the film's conclusion, Sam defeats CLU and returns to the real world with Quorra, who is transformed into a physical being.

The ending of "Legacy" clearly paves the way for a sequel. Sam steps up to lead Encom, his father's company, towards a future of openness and innovation, with Quorra by his side as a testament to the marvels of the digital world. The home video release even includes a short film, "Tron: The Next Day," showing Sam's return to Encom.

Despite this setup, neither Hedlund nor Wilde are returning for "Tron: Ares," which suggests a shift in the franchise's direction. "Legacy" earned $409.9 million globally on a $170 million budget, not including marketing costs. While not a flop, it fell short of Disney's expectations, prompting a possible pivot to a more standalone narrative with "Ares."

The absence of Sam and Quorra leaves a significant gap in the storyline. Are we to assume Sam abandoned his mission at Encom? Did Quorra return to The Grid? "Ares" must find a way to address these pivotal characters, even if through subtle acknowledgments or unexpected cameos.

The absence of Cillian Murphy, who played Edward Dillinger, Jr., in "Legacy," is equally puzzling. Introduced as the head of Encom's software development, Dillinger, Jr., was set up as a major adversary to Sam's open-source vision. Murphy's brief cameo hinted at a larger role in future installments, possibly as the human antagonist mirroring his father's role in the original "Tron." The trailer for "Ares" suggests the return of the Master Control Program (MCP), evident through the red highlights on Ares and his allies. Yet, Edward Dillinger, Jr., is missing, and Gillian Anderson's new character takes a central role on the Encom board.

However, Evan Peters will play Julian Dillinger, suggesting that the Dillinger family still has a role in the story. There's also a possibility that Murphy might return in an unannounced capacity.

Bruce Boxleitner’s Tron

The most surprising omission from the "Tron: Ares" cast is Bruce Boxleitner, who portrayed both Alan Bradley and the iconic program Tron. In "Legacy," it was revealed that CLU's enforcer, Rinzler, was a reprogrammed Tron, who regained his identity by the film's end. Boxleitner's absence raises questions about the film's direction. Will Tron be recast with a younger actor, possibly Cameron Monaghan? Regardless, the character's fate from "Legacy" deserves closure, and a "Tron" sequel needs Tron in some form.

The most intriguing news about "Tron: Ares" is Jeff Bridges' return, despite both his characters, Kevin Flynn and CLU, being killed off in "Legacy." The trailer features Bridges' voice, but it's unclear whether he'll portray a living Kevin Flynn, a resurrected CLU, or another iteration entirely. Could CLU have survived their shared demise, or did Flynn keep a digital backup? Perhaps Flynn has transcended into a digital form of immortality?

These questions will likely be answered in "Ares," along with the nature of Ares' mission and his allegiance to either Flynn/CLU or the MCP. While we eagerly await "Tron: Ares," the film's decision to bring back Bridges while sidelining the surviving characters from "Legacy" is perplexing. Nevertheless, the new Nine Inch Nails score promises to be a thrilling addition to the franchise.