‘Tron 3’ Update: Jared Leto and Evan Peters Start Filming on ‘Tron: Ares’ in Vancouver
Tron: Ares is finally starting production in Vancouver after a significant delay due to last year’s WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Initially, filming was scheduled to begin last August and continue through December 16.
Jared Leto will star as Ares in the flick. And he’ll also serve as a producer on the film alongside Emma Ludbrook, Jeffrey Silver, and Justin Springer. Jesse Wigutow is authoring the screenplay. And Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales‘ director Joachim Rønning is directing.
Other cast that has signed on for the project include Evan Peters, Jodie Turner-Smith, Greta Lee,Sarah Desjardins, and Cameron Monaghan. Previous production notes noted that Cillian Murphy might reprise his role as Edward Dillinger. However, this hasn’t been confirmed and there’s been no official announcement.
Is There a Working Title for Tron: Ares?
The film will have two working titles during production, “VELCRO” and “LUMEN.”
The History of the Tron: Legacy Sequel
The path towards a third installment in the Tron franchise has been marked by a number of challenges and uncertainties. The series has maintained a complex relationship with the Walt Disney Company throughout its history. While neither the original Tron (1982) nor its sequel Tron: Legacy (2010) achieved blockbuster success at the box office, they garnered a devoted fan base and earned a reputation as cult classics.
And despite the franchise’s solid popularity, it hasn’t proven to be one of Disney’s financially lucrative intellectual properties. As a result, the future of the Tron series has remained uncertain. However, with the recent launch of the new Tron ride at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, it’s clear that the studio does have longer-term plans for the franchise.
The development of a sequel to Tron: Legacy has been in the works for a while, initially with director Joseph Kosinski. That project ended up being canceled by the Walt Disney Company.
Subsequently, a reboot was announced, signaling a complete reset of the franchise. However, adding to the confusion, Disney later revealed that the next Tron film would, in fact, be a sequel under the direction of Garth Davis. This update emerged in 2020, but since then, information about the project has been scarce, leaving fans eagerly awaiting new details… which finally arrived this year.
In March of 2023, producer Justin Springer confirmed to ComicBook.com that the movie was in development. He revealed, “It feels like the right time … but we have to get it right. We have to get the story, and we have to get the team right. And so there’s still stuff to do before we have much to say about the movie.”
What Will the Film Be About?
While plot details are being kept under wraps, we know that the film is a stand-alone sequel and will focus on the character Ares, played by Jared Leto.
The project’s official description, as listed in a recent Production Weekly update, reads: Stand-alone sequel to TRON: Legacy focused on the character Ares (Leto). The story will focus on the emergence of a sentient program that crosses over into the human world that is not ready for contact. Peters takes over the role of ENCOM’s Edward Dillinger Jr., with Lee as a video game programmer and tech company CEO who aims to protect her world-changing technology. Turner-Smith plays the female lead Athena.
Aside from the above, not much more is known at this time.
Is There a Tron: Ares Trailer Yet?
With production for Tron: Ares officially kicking off on January 15, 2024, fans will likely have to wait a bit longer to catch a glimpse of any footage. However, considering the extensive marketing efforts that accompanied Tron: Legacy, it wouldn’t be surprising if the promotional campaign for the new film treats us to sneak peeks and teasers before the end of 2024.
Will Tron: Ares Be Streaming on Disney+ or Released in Theaters?
The distribution strategy for Tron: Ares remains somewhat ambiguous. While no definitive confirmation has been provided, the nature of the production, with its substantial budget and emphasis on captivating visuals and effects, suggests a theatrical release is highly probable. However, considering the mixed box office performance of previous Tron installments, Disney might also contemplate a premiere on Disney+ as a viable option.
That being said, IMDB Pro does note that the production is being optimized for IMAX. IMAX’s involvement would suggest that the studio is planning for a theatrical release.
Is There a Tron: Ares Release Date?
Numerous online sources have indicated that December 19th, 2025, is the anticipated release date for Tron: Ares. But, the Walt Disney Company has not officially confirmed this date.
IMDB Pro also listed this date as the release date in mid-2023. However, it no longer lists that date, which leads us to believe that the date will shift from December 19.
Where Can Fans Watch the Tron Films?
Both Tron and Tron: Legacy are available for streaming on Disney+. Tron: Uprising, the animated series which ran from 2012 to 2013, is also available on Disney+. The show follows the events that occur between the events of the two films.
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