The highly anticipated first teaser trailer for Tron: Ares has just been unveiled, capturing the excitement of fans everywhere. Director Joachim Rønning has also shared intriguing insights regarding the character played by Jared Leto. This marks a significant moment as it provides audiences with a closer look at the evolving narrative of the Tron franchise, which has not graced the screens for over fifteen years.
Following a successful premiere at CinemaCon, the eagerly awaited first teaser trailer for Tron: Ares debuted over the weekend, offering fans their first glimpse of the iconic Grid after a lengthy absence of fifteen years. This sequel introduces a complex, highly advanced program named Ares, who embarks on a perilous journey from the digital realm into the real world, representing humanity’s inaugural encounter with artificial intelligence. Jared Leto takes on the pivotal role of Ares, and during an engaging conversation with Empire, director Joachim Rønning revealed compelling insights about the character’s development and significance.
“Not to be too clichéd, but I always thought about him a bit like Pinocchio,” Rønning remarked, shedding light on Ares’ character arc. “Ares wants to be a real boy. We discussed his journey as akin to that of an infant, learning about the world for the very first time, and how we aimed for the audience to experience this world through his perspective. The small, often overlooked details that we tend to take for granted were particularly important to convey. Moreover, a central theme of the film revolves around the profound question of what it truly means to be human, especially in the context of Ares being a computer program.“
As showcased in the teaser trailer and promotional poster, Ares exhibits distinctive features that set him apart from the programs in previous installments. Notably, his Identity Disc has undergone a significant transformation, evolving from its traditional circular shape to a striking triangular design. “It’s definitely a weapon,” Rønning stated confidently. “And it’s just a superior disc.” He further explained that while the new design is a departure from the norm, the classic round discs will still feature prominently in the film. “When you’re a part of a franchise, it’s essential to evolve the design, although I’m sure some fans will express concern over the change. But rest assured, we’ve retained the round discs as well,” he elaborated. “Take it easy.“
Even before the highly successful release of Tron: Legacy, plans for a third installment in the Tron film series were already underway. Disney had initially greenlit the project, bringing back director Joseph Kosinski along with stars Garret Hedlund and Olivia Wilde. However, the studio abruptly halted production just months ahead of the scheduled start date. After years of uncertainty, the project was revitalized, now featuring Leto in the leading role. Given the tumultuous history of this franchise, I had my doubts about its realization, but I am genuinely excited to step back into the immersive world of the Grid.
In addition to Jared Leto, Tron: Ares boasts a talented cast, including Evan Peters, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith, Gillian Anderson, Cameron Monaghan, Sarah Desjardins, Hasan Minhaj, and Arturo Castro. Notably, the legendary Jeff Bridges is reprising his role as Kevin Flynn, enhancing the film’s connection to its predecessors. Fans can anticipate the film hitting theaters on October 10th. Furthermore, there are whispers circulating that Tron: Legacy may finally make its long-awaited transition to 4K Ultra HD this year, likely coinciding with the release of Tron: Ares. We can only hope for this exciting development.
