Tron: Ares

{{Infobox film

| image = Tron Ares poster.jpg

| caption = Teaser poster

| alt =

| director = Joachim Rønning

| screenplay = {{Plainlist|

Jesse Wigutow
Jack Thorne

}}

| based_on = {{Based on|Characters|Steven Lisberger|Bonnie MacBird}}

| producer = {{Plainlist|

Sean Bailey
Jeffrey Silver
Justin Springer
Jared Leto
Emma Ludbrook
Steven Lisberger

}}

| starring = {{Plainlist|

}}

| cinematography = Jeff Cronenweth

| editing = Tyler Nelson

| music = Nine Inch Nails

| production_companies = Walt Disney Pictures

| distributor = Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

| released = {{Film date|2025|10|10}}

| runtime =

| country = United States

| language = English

| budget =

| gross =

}}

Tron: Ares (stylized as TRON: Ares) is an upcoming American science fiction action film directed by Joachim Rønning from a screenplay by Jesse Wigutow and Jack Thorne. It is a sequel to Tron: Legacy (2010) and the third installment in the Tron franchise. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures, the film stars Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Hasan Minhaj, Jodie Turner-Smith, Arturo Castro, Cameron Monaghan and Gillian Anderson, with Jeff Bridges reprising his role as Kevin Flynn from the previous installments.

Development of a sequel to Tron: Legacy began in October 2010 by franchise creator Steven Lisberger. In March 2017, plans shifted toward a reboot with Leto playing a new character. Garth Davis was set as director in August 2020 when Wigutow was working on the script, but stepped down in January 2023. Rønning replaced him a month later. Production was expected to begin in August 2023 but was delayed by the 2023 Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Filming ultimately began in January 2024 in Vancouver and wrapped in May. By August, industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails was composing the score.

Tron: Ares is scheduled to be released in the United States by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures on October 10, 2025.

Premise

{{blockquote|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.|Walt Disney Pictures{{Cite web |last=Dick |first=Jeremy |date=2024-02-29 |title=Disney Unveils First Look and Plot Details for Tron: Ares |url=https://www.cbr.com/tron-ares-first-look-unveiled/ |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=CBR |language=en}}}}

Cast

Production

=Development=

==Initial ''Tron: Legacy'' sequel development==

Development of a sequel to Tron: Legacy was announced in October 2010 by franchise creator Steven Lisberger, with Legacy screenwriters Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz set to return.{{cite news |last=Cornet | first=Roth |url=http://screenrant.com/tron-legacy-steven-lisberger-rothc-85139/ |title=Steven Lisberger Talks 'Tron: 3' & the Global 'Tron' Phenomena |publisher=Screen Rant, LLC |work=Screen Rant |date=October 29, 2010 |access-date=December 29, 2010}}{{cite news |last=Sciretta | first=Peter |url=http://www.slashfilm.com/screenwriters-return-for-tron-legacy-sequel/ |title=Screenwriters Return for Tron Legacy Sequel |work=SLASH FILM |date=April 6, 2010 |access-date=December 29, 2010}} In April 2011, director Joseph Kosinski stated the script was still in development, and that it would follow the characters of Garrett Hedlund's Sam Flynn and Olivia Wilde's Quorra in the real world.{{cite web |url=http://www.heavyeggs.com/article/view/tron-3-details |title=TRON 3 details |website=Heavy Eggs |date=April 8, 2011 |access-date=April 8, 2011 |author=Ronin}} On March 31, Kosinski said that the film's script was expected to be finished in two weeks and its working title is TR3N.{{cite web |url=http://collider.com/tron-3-sequel-details-joseph-kosinski/ |title=Director Joseph Kosinski Talks TRON 3; Two Weeks Away from Draft With "Much Broader Appeal," Still Working on Title |work=Collider |date=March 31, 2013 |access-date=October 5, 2014 |archive-date=August 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821165028/http://collider.com/tron-3-sequel-details-joseph-kosinski/ |url-status=live}} In June, it was reported that screenwriter David DiGilio was hired to write the screenplay, as Kitsis and Horowitz had dropped out to develop their television series Once Upon a Time.{{cite news |date=June 7, 2011 |first=Borys |last=Kit |title='Tron: Legacy' Sequel in Motion with New Writer (Exclusive) |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/tron-legacy-sequel-motion-new-195714 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=June 9, 2011}} In March 2012, Bruce Boxleitner stated he believed filming could potentially begin as early as 2014, after Kosinski was available following his commitments to the film Oblivion.{{cite web |url=http://www.iamrogue.com/news/movie-news/item/5999-iar-exclusive-bruce-boxleitner-gives-and-update-tron-sequel-and-animated-series.html |title=IAR Exclusive: Bruce Boxleitner Gives an Update on 'TRON' Sequel and Animated Series |website=I Am Rogue |date=March 8, 2012 |access-date=May 4, 2012 |author=DeSaulnier, Jordan |archive-date=April 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120412161451/http://www.iamrogue.com/news/movie-news/item/5999-iar-exclusive-bruce-boxleitner-gives-and-update-tron-sequel-and-animated-series.html |url-status=dead }} In June, Kitsis and Horowitz stated that they were still involved with the project,{{cite web |url=https://tv.yahoo.com/news/kecks-exclusives-first-look-tron-reboots-olivia-wildes-111000463.html |title=Keck's Exclusives First Look: Tron Reboots Olivia Wilde's Quorra |publisher=Yahoo |work=TV Guide |access-date=June 19, 2012 |author=Keck, William |date=June 4, 2012}} though by December, Jesse Wigutow had been hired to rewrite the script.{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/tron-sequel-back-grid-at-398592 |title='Tron' Sequel Back on the Grid at Disney (Exclusive) |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=December 5, 2012 |author=Kit, Borys |date=December 5, 2012}} That same month, Boxleitner and Hedlund were confirmed to be returning for the sequel.{{cite web |last=Wickman |first=Kase |title=Confirmed: Garrett Hedlund Will Star in 'Tron 3' |url=http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/garrett-hedlund-tron-3-star-confirmed-exclusive/ |work=MTV Networks |publisher=Next Movie |access-date=17 December 2012 |date=13 December 2012}}

In March 2015, it was revealed that Disney had officially greenlit the third film with Hedlund, Kosinski and Wilde set to return, and production due to begin in October in Vancouver.{{cite web |url=http://vancitybuzz.com/2015/03/tron-3-filmed-vancouver-fall/ |title=Tron 3 to be film in Vancouver this fall |website=Vancity Buzz |last=Chan |first=Kenneth |date=March 10, 2015 |access-date=March 10, 2015 |archive-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110174404/http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2015/03/tron-3-filmed-vancouver-fall/ |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://hollywoodreporter.com/news/joseph-kosinski-direct-disneys-tron-780790 |title=Joseph Kosinski to Disney's 'Tron 3'|work=The Hollywood Reporter |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=March 11, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/olivia-wilde-reteams-garrett-hedlund-786680 |title=Olivia Wilde Reteams With Garrett Hedlund for 'Tron 3' |work=The Hollywood Reporter |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=April 7, 2015}}[https://twitter.com/prodweek/status/582587510615773185] However, in May, it was announced that Disney had scrapped the film,{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/disney-not-moving-forward-tron-798941 |title=Disney Not Moving Forward With 'Tron 3' (Exclusive) |first=Rebecca |last=Ford |work=The Hollywood Reporter |publisher=(Prometheus Global Media) |date=May 29, 2015 |access-date=May 30, 2015}} which would be confirmed by Wilde the following month.{{cite web |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/662571/olivia-wilde-confirms-tron-3-is-not-happening-but-here-s-the-good-news |title=Olivia Wilde Confirms Tron 3 Is Not Happening, But Here's the Good News... |first=Bruna |last=Nessif |date=June 2, 2015 |website=E! Online |access-date=4 August 2015}} It was stated the reason for the cancellation was a result of the box office failure of Tomorrowland.{{cite web |last1=Perez |first1=Rodrigo |title=Disney Cancels Tron 3 Following The Disappointment Of Tomorrowland |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/disney-cancels-tron-3-following-the-disappointment-of-tomorrowland-263287/ |website=IndieWire |access-date=7 December 2023 |date=May 30, 2015}} In July, Boxleitner announced the cancellation of the film had ended his interest in returning to the franchise,{{cite web |url=http://www.slashfilm.com/bruce-boxleitner-on-tron-3/ |title=Exclusive: Bruce Boxleitner on 'Tron 3′ – "I'm Done With It. I've Moved On" |first=Fred |last=Topel |date=July 30, 2015 |website=Slashfilm |access-date=4 August 2015}} while in September, Hedlund would state he was told that the sequel was not "totally dead", and would be interested in returning should a new film be announced.{{cite web |url=http://comicbook.com/2015/09/24/tron-3-not-totally-dead-says-garrett-hedlund/ |title=EXCLUSIVE: Tron 3 "Not Totally Dead," Says Garrett Hedlund |website=Comicbook.com |date=24 September 2015 |access-date=25 September 2015 |author=Siegel, Lucas |archive-date=July 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711093926/http://comicbook.com/2015/09/24/tron-3-not-totally-dead-says-garrett-hedlund/ |url-status=live}}

In August 2016, Brigham Taylor, then a development executive at Disney, revealed discussions were being had about Tron's future.{{cite web |url=http://screenrant.com/tron-3-producer-disney-interview/ |title=TRON 3: Disney Producer Still Hopeful For Sequel |website=ScreenRant.com |date=August 8, 2016 |access-date=August 15, 2016 |author=Chipman, Bob}} In February 2017, during a Q&A session with Kosinski, he would state that the sequel was in more of a "cryogenic freeze" as opposed to completely cancelled. He would attribute Disney's then-recent acquisition of Lucasfilm and Marvel as reasons for Tron being put on the backburner.{{cite web |url=http://collider.com/tron-3-story-joseph-kosinski/#tv-series/ |title=Exclusive: Joseph Kosinski Reveals the Plot for 'TRON 3'; Says It's an "Invasion Movie" |website=Collider |date=1 March 2017 |access-date=17 February 2019 |author=Goldburg, Matt}}

==Reboot==

In March 2017, despite Kosinski's remarks the month before, it was reported the franchise would be moving towards a reboot instead of a Legacy sequel, with Jared Leto attached to portray a new character named "Ares", a character that was retained from prior iterations of a sequel script.{{cite web | url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/tron-reboot-jared-leto-circling-lead-role-new-disney-film-982575 | title= 'Tron' Reboot: Jared Leto Circling Lead Role at Disney (Exclusive) | work=The Hollywood Reporter | date=March 3, 2017 | accessdate=March 3, 2017| author=Kit, Borys}} In August 2020, Garth Davis was hired to direct the film, with Wigutow still involved to write the screenplay.{{Cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=2020-08-10|title='Lion' Director Garth Davis To Direct Disney's New 'Tron' Movie With Jared Leto|url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/garth-davis-tron-sequel-director-jared-leto-movie-1202992103/|access-date=2020-08-10|website=Deadline|language=en}} Patrice Vermette at the time had been hired to serve as the film's production designer.{{cite web |last1=Sayre |first1=Will |title=Exclusive: Dune's Oscar-Winning Production Designer Talks Bringing Prime Video's Foe to Life |url=https://movieweb.com/foe-patrice-vermette-interview/ |website=MovieWeb |access-date=8 December 2023 |date=October 6, 2023}}

In March 2022, while promoting Morbius, Leto confirmed that the film was still happening.{{cite news |last1=Hood |first1=Cooper |title=Jared Leto Offers Promising Tron 3 Movie Update |url=https://screenrant.com/tron-3-movie-update-jared-leto-comments/ |access-date=March 23, 2022 |work=Screen Rant |publisher=Red Ventures |date=March 22, 2022}} By January 2023, Davis had exited as director, with Joachim Rønning entering negotiations to take the directing job. Vermette would also depart as production designer. In June, Evan Peters, Greta Lee and Jodie Turner-Smith joined the cast, and Jack Thorne was revealed to have written a draft of the script.{{cite web |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |title=Dahmer Star Evan Peters Joins Jared Leto in Disney's Tron 3 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/evan-peters-tron-3-ares-cast-1235524816/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=28 June 2023 |date=June 28, 2023}}[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/tron-ares-casts-past-lives-greta-lee-1235527097/ ‘Past Lives’ Breakout Greta Lee Lands Leading Role in ‘Tron 3’ (Exclusive)]{{Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=2023-06-30 |title=Jodi Turner-Smith Joins Jared Leto in Disney's 'Tron 3' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/tron-ares-casts-jodi-turner-smith-1235527012/ |access-date=2023-06-30 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} Cameron Monaghan and Sarah Desjardins would be added the following month.{{cite web |last1=Grobar |first1=Matt |title=Tron: Ares Casts Cameron Monaghan |url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/tron-ares-casts-cameron-monaghan-1235436393/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=13 July 2023 |date=July 12, 2023}}{{cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |title=Yellowjackets Star Sarah Desjardins Boards Tron: Ares |url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/tron-ares-sarah-desjardins-yellowjackets-1235436533/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=13 July 2023 |date=July 12, 2023}} In January 2024, Gillian Anderson joined the cast in an undisclosed role.{{Cite web |last=Ntim |first=Zac |date=2024-01-22 |title=Gillian Anderson Joins 'Tron: Ares' |url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/gillian-anderson-tron-ares-disney-1235800292/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}

=Filming=

Principal photography was scheduled to begin in Vancouver{{cite web |last1=Fleming |first1=Mike Jr. |title=Disney Moving On Tron: Ares; Joachim Rønning In Talks To Helm Jared Leto In Sci-Fi Sequel: The Dish |url=https://deadline.com/2023/01/tron-ares-joachim-ronning-helm-jared-leto-disney-sci-fi-sequel-1235227464/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=19 January 2023 |date=January 19, 2023}} on August 14, 2023, but was postponed indefinitely due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America and the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strikes.{{Cite web |last=Hibberd|first=James|date=2023-08-15 |title='Tron: Ares' Delayed as Director Criticizes "Extremely Frustrating" Strike Talks|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/tron-ares-delayed-strike-story-plot-ai-1235566814/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=2023-08-15 |language=en-US}}{{cite web |url=https://movieweb.com/tron-3-plot-cast-and-everything-else-we-know/ |title=Tron 3: Plot, Cast, and Everything Else We Know |website=MovieWeb |last=Bajer |first=Ted |date=July 21, 2023 |access-date=July 28, 2023}} Following the conclusion of the strikes in early November 2023, filming was reportedly set to begin in early 2024.{{Cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |last2=Kroll |first2=Justin |date=November 8, 2023 |title='Deadpool 3', 'Gladiator 2', 'Beetlejuice 2', 'Juror No. 2' & 'Venom 3' Among Film Productions To Restart ASAP As Hollywood Gets Back To Work Post-Strike |url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/actors-strike-deal-movies-restart-production-list-1235593653/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109125824/https://deadline.com/2023/11/actors-strike-deal-movies-restart-production-list-1235593653/ |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |access-date=November 20, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} However, in late November 2023, it was announced that production on the project would officially begin following the holiday season of the same year.{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/tron-3-ares-filming/|work=Collider|title='Tron: Ares' Starts Filming After the Holidays [Exclusive]|author=McPherson, Chris|date=November 20, 2023|accessdate=November 30, 2023}} In January 2024, Rønning revealed production had begun,{{cite web |last1=McPherson |first1=Chris |title=Prepare to Re-Enter the Grid as 'Tron: Ares' Officially Begins Filming |url=https://collider.com/tron-3-filming-start/ |website=Collider |publisher=Valnet Inc. |language=en |date=January 19, 2024 |access-date=January 20, 2024}} under the working title Velcro.{{cite web |last1=Gittins |first1=Susan |title=Tron: Ares With Jared Leto Filming in Vancouver: Week One on the Grid |url=https://hollywoodnorthbuzz.com/2024/01/tron-ares-with-jared-leto-filming-in-vancouver-week-1-on-the-grid.html |website=Hollywood North Buzz |language=en |date=January 20, 2024 |access-date=January 21, 2024}} Jeff Cronenweth serves as cinematographer.{{cite web |last1=Giardina |first1=Carolyn |title=NAB Wrap: Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Production and Future of Broadcasting in Focus |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/nab-show-artificial-intelligence-virtual-production-broadcasting-1235392427/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=8 December 2023 |date=April 19, 2023}} A first look image was released by Disney in February, with Hasan Minhaj and Arturo Castro added to the cast.{{cite web |last1=Grobar |first1=Matt |title=Tron: Ares First Look Photo Unveiled By Disney |url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/tron-ares-first-look-photo-unveiled-disney-1235842357/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=29 February 2024 |date=February 29, 2024}} Production occurred on the Cambie Bridge overnight on March 15.{{cite web |last1=William-Ross |first1=Lindsay |title=Photos + Video: A peek at the 'Tron: Ares' film shoot on Vancouver's Cambie Bridge |url=https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/events-and-entertainment/photos-tron-ares-movie-filming-motorcycle-cambie-bridge-vancouver-8449080 |website=Vancouver is Awesome |access-date=27 April 2024 |date=March 15, 2024}} In April, Jeff Bridges, who portrayed Kevin Flynn and Clu in the previous Tron films, confirmed his involvement in the film.{{cite web |last1=Grobar |first1=Matt |title=Jeff Bridges Returning For Tron: Ares |url=https://deadline.com/2024/04/jeff-bridges-returning-tron-ares-1235898717/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=29 April 2024 |date=April 29, 2024}} Filming wrapped on May 1.{{cite web |url=https://sadgcprod.blob.core.windows.net/public/britishcolumbia/production%20list2024-02-23T19-24-40-029Z.pdf |title=DGC BC Production List |page=7 |publisher=Directors Guild of Canada |date=February 23, 2024 |accessdate=February 25, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225011247/https://sadgcprod.blob.core.windows.net/public/britishcolumbia/production%20list2024-02-23T19-24-40-029Z.pdf |archivedate=February 25, 2024 |url-status=live}}

=Post-production=

Tyler Nelson serves as the editor.[https://www.iconictalentagency.com/_files/ugd/59109d_0c74c7d90c6145feaa7725afb8e7c326.pdf Tyler Nelson, A.C.E.]

Music

In August 2024, Nine Inch Nails was announced to be providing the score for the film, taking over from Daft Punk, and marking the first time Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have composed a film score under the name of their band.{{cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |title=Nine Inch Nails Are Taking On The Score To Tron: Ares |url=https://deadline.com/2024/08/nine-inch-nails-reuniting-tron-ares-score-1236036348/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=10 August 2024 |date=August 9, 2024}}{{cite magazine |last1=Kreps |first1=Daniel |title=Nine Inch Nails to Score Upcoming Tron: Ares Film |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/nine-inch-nails-score-tron-ares-film-1235077761/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=11 August 2024 |date= August 10, 2024}} Prior to Tron: Ares, the two composed together twenty soundtracks, which were credited with their own names.{{Cite web |last=Larson |first=Jeremy D. |date=2024-08-10 |title=Nine Inch Nails to Score New Tron Movie |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/nine-inch-nails-to-score-new-tron-movie/ |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}

When talking about Tron: Ares, Reznor explained that taking the Nine Inch Nails name influenced their approach to scoring, putting them in a "grittier" mindset and allowing them to "play by different rules", something Disney was pleased with.{{Cite web |last=Booth |first=Kaitlyn |date=January 6, 2025 |title=TRON: Ares – Trent Reznor Explains Why They Are Scoring As NIN |url=https://bleedingcool.com/movies/tron-ares-trent-reznor-explains-why-they-are-scoring-as-nin/ |access-date=January 7, 2025 |website=Bleeding Cool}} For Rønning, it was important to "contrast The Grid and the real world," and that "Nine Inch Nails lend itself perfectly into a new, more industrial Tron.”{{Cite web |last=Travis |first=Ben |date=2024-11-18 |title=Tron: Ares’ Nine Inch Nails Soundtrack Is Reflective Of A ‘Grittier, More Industrial’ Sequel |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/tron-ares-nine-inch-nails-soundtrack-grittier-more-industrial-sequel/ |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=Empire |language=en}}

Release

Tron: Ares is scheduled to be released theatrically on October 10, 2025, including engagements in IMAX.{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=2024-04-05 |title=Disney Sets 'Star Wars' Movie 'The Mandalorian & Grogu,' 'Toy Story 5' and Live-Action 'Moana' for 2026 Release Dates |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/disney-star-wars-movie-mandalorian-and-grogu-toy-story-5-live-action-moana-tron-ares-release-dates-1235961998/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=Variety|language=en-US}}{{cite web|last=Tartaglione|first=Nancy|url=https://deadline.com/2024/05/imax-2025-slate-fantastic-four-superman-legacy-1235918866/|title=Imax Touts 2025 Slate: Biggest-Ever Filmed with Its Cameras Includes 'M:I 8', 'Superman: Legacy' & 'Tron: Ares'|date=May 16, 2024|website=Deadline Hollywood}}