Tron fans have plenty to be excited about in 2025. After years of silence, the iconic franchise is making a triumphant return to theaters this October with *Tron: Ares*, the third installment in the series. This highly anticipated sequel stars Jared Leto as the titular character—a digital program who embarks on a mysterious and high-stakes mission into the real world.
While it’s still unclear whether *Ares* should be considered a direct sequel or more of a soft reboot, the visual and thematic DNA of *Tron: Legacy* (2010) is unmistakable. The newly released trailer reinforces this connection, showcasing a futuristic aesthetic that mirrors its predecessor. One major highlight is the involvement of Nine Inch Nails replacing Daft Punk for the film's score—an indication that music will remain a core element of the movie's identity.
Legacy vs. Ares: What’s Missing?
Despite the stylistic continuity, *Ares* seems to diverge from *Legacy* in narrative terms. Many fans are left wondering why key characters like Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund) and Quorra (Olivia Wilde) appear to be absent from the new film. Their storylines were left open-ended at the end of *Legacy*, suggesting they would play an important role moving forward. In fact, *Tron: The Next Day*, a short film included in the home release of *Legacy*, already explored what happened after Sam returned to the real world and took his first steps toward leading Encom into a more transparent future with Quorra by his side.
Yet, neither Hedlund nor Wilde are confirmed to return in *Ares*. While Disney may have decided to shift focus to a more standalone story—possibly due to *Legacy*’s moderate box office performance underperforming relative to expectations—the absence of these central figures leaves a noticeable gap in the franchise's continuity. Will *Ares* acknowledge their fates? Or has the studio chosen to move forward without them entirely?
Cillian Murphy’s Edward Dillinger, Jr. – An Unfinished Storyline
Cillian Murphy also made a brief but significant appearance in *Legacy* as Edward Dillinger, Jr.—a character clearly set up for a larger role in any follow-up. As the son of David Warner’s original *Tron* villain, Dillinger was positioned to become the main antagonist in a potential trilogy. His rivalry with Sam over open-source software hinted at deeper conflict yet to unfold.
The *Ares* trailer suggests the return of the Master Control Program (MCP), marked by glowing red circuitry, reminiscent of the original film. However, there’s no sign of Murphy reprising his role. Instead, Gillian Anderson appears as a new Encom board member, raising even more questions. That said, Evan Peters is cast as Julian Dillinger, so the Dillinger family name remains relevant. Whether Cillian Murphy secretly returns is still unknown.
Where Is Tron?
Perhaps the most surprising omission from the *Ares* cast is Bruce Boxleitner, who played both Alan Bradley and the heroic program Tron in the original films. In *Legacy*, it was revealed that Rinzler—the reprogrammed version of Tron—was last seen falling into the Sea of Simulation, which wiped away CLU’s corrupted code and restored his true self. With such an unresolved arc, fans naturally expected him to return.
Boxleitner doesn’t seem to be involved in *Ares*, leaving many to wonder if the character has been recast. Could Cameron Monaghan be portraying a younger version of Tron? Whatever the case, it would make little sense to produce a *Tron* movie without including the character who gave the franchise its name.
Jeff Bridges Returns – But Why?
One of the most puzzling developments is Jeff Bridges' confirmed return. He portrayed Kevin Flynn in both *Tron* and *Legacy*, but both versions of his character—Flynn and CLU—were seemingly destroyed in *Legacy*'s climactic finale. So, why is he back?
The trailer offers only a voice snippet of Bridges, giving no clear indication of whether he’s playing a resurrected Flynn, a surviving CLU, or something else entirely. Did Flynn leave behind a digital copy of himself? Has CLU somehow returned? Or did Flynn achieve some kind of transcendence within The Grid?
Whatever the truth, it’s strange that *Ares* brings back Bridges while sidelining all the surviving characters from *Legacy*. Still, fans remain hopeful that the film will offer some explanation—and perhaps even a surprise cameo—to honor the legacy of the previous films.
Final Thoughts
*Tron: Ares* promises to bring back the neon-soaked spectacle and cyberpunk energy that defined *Tron: Legacy*. However, its apparent disregard for the established storyline raises legitimate concerns. Whether it will serve as a continuation, a soft reboot, or a complete departure from the past remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the soundtrack is already shaping up to be legendary.
TRON: Ares Images
AnswerSee ResultsIn other Tron news, find out about the series return to the gaming realm with the Metroid/Hades hybrid [ttpp].
