Tron enthusiasts have plenty to look forward to in 2025, as the beloved franchise revs up for its cinematic return with "Tron: Ares," set to premiere in October. This eagerly anticipated sequel features Jared Leto as Ares, a program embarking on a high-stakes mission that transcends the digital realm into the real world. While shrouded in mystery, the plot promises to captivate fans with its intriguing narrative.

Is "Tron: Ares" a true sequel, though? Visually, it's a clear nod to 2010's "Tron: Legacy," with the newly released trailer showcasing the same distinctive aesthetic. The shift from Daft Punk to Nine Inch Nails for the soundtrack suggests that the franchise's signature electronic music remains a key element. However, "Ares" appears to be more of a soft reboot than a direct follow-up, raising questions about the absence of familiar faces from "Legacy."

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' Kevin Flynn, ventured into The Grid to rescue his father and thwart CLU's plan to invade the real world. Alongside, he encountered Quorra, an ISO—a spontaneously generated digital being symbolizing life's resilience within a simulated environment. The film concluded with Sam defeating CLU, returning to reality with Quorra, now a flesh-and-blood entity.

The ending of "Legacy" set the stage for a sequel, with Sam poised to lead Encom toward a more open-source future and Quorra embodying the potential of digital life. Yet, the absence of Hedlund and Wilde in "Tron: Ares" suggests a departure from this setup. Despite "Legacy" earning $409.9 million globally on a $170 million budget, Disney might be steering "Ares" towards a standalone narrative, perhaps due to "Legacy's" moderate commercial success. Nonetheless, the omission of pivotal characters like Sam and Quorra leaves fans hoping for some acknowledgment of their legacy, even if through subtle nods or unexpected cameos.

The absence of Cillian Murphy's Edward Dillinger, Jr., from "Tron: Ares" is equally perplexing. Introduced in "Legacy" as the head of Encom's software development and an adversary to Sam's open-source vision, Dillinger Jr. was poised for a significant role in future installments. The trailer hints at the return of the Master Control Program (MCP), evident from the red highlights on Ares and his cohorts, reminiscent of the MCP's signature color. Yet, without Dillinger Jr., the narrative thread linking back to the original "Tron" feels incomplete. Evan Peters' character, Julian Dillinger, may offer a connection, but fans wonder if Murphy could still make a surprise appearance.

Bruce Boxleitner’s Tron

The most striking omission from "Tron: Ares" is Bruce Boxleitner, the original Tron. In "Legacy," he reprised his role as Alan Bradley and was revealed to be the reprogrammed Rinzler, who regained his heroic identity. The lack of Boxleitner in "Ares" raises questions about the film's direction. Is Tron being recast, perhaps with Cameron Monaghan in the role? Regardless, fans hope "Ares" will address Tron's ambiguous fate and honor the character's legacy within the franchise.

The return of Jeff Bridges to the "Tron" universe in "Ares" is particularly intriguing, given that both his characters, Kevin Flynn and CLU, met their demise in "Legacy." The trailer features Bridges' voice, yet it remains unclear whether he's reprising Flynn, CLU, or a new role. Could CLU have survived their shared destruction, or did Flynn find a way to persist beyond death within The Grid? As "Ares" navigates these mysteries, fans eagerly await clarification on Bridges' involvement and how it ties into Ares' mission and the MCP's potential agenda.

While "Tron: Ares" leaves us with many questions and a sense of departure from "Legacy," the promise of a captivating storyline and the iconic electronic score by Nine Inch Nails keeps the anticipation high. As the franchise evolves, it's clear that "Ares" aims to both honor its roots and forge a new path forward.