Leto’s affection for the material radiates through every frame. This isn’t a cynical revival; it’s a meticulous evolution that acknowledges what made Tron iconic. It’s the neon geometry, the philosophical undertones, the digital gladiators. Ares propels these elements further into imaginative spaces while also pushing the film into sharper, brand-new territory. No, it’s not because The Grid is now in the real world. The action sequences are electrifying, choreographed like a ballet of light and speed, and accompanied by a thundering soundtrack from Nine Inch Nails that fuses industrial grit with futuristic awe. The result is a stylish and kinetic light show, an audiovisual experience that pulses with life and energy.

For all the dazzle, though, Ares finds its emotional anchor in Greta Lee. Despite the title, this is her movie. She infuses her character with a rare blend of vulnerability and strength. Thus, transforming what could have been a stock archetype into something human and raw. Her performance cuts through the visual noise, grounding the story when the dialogue and pacing occasionally falter. Unfortunately, most of the supporting cast isn’t as lucky. The characters feel underwritten, their motivations sketched in broad strokes, and the smaller, quieter moments meant to deepen them don’t always land as intended. Still, Lee’s commitment carries much of the film’s emotional weight.

Jared Leto brings Tron: Ares to life with stunning visuals, a pulsing Nine Inch Nails score, and Greta Lee’s standout performance on the Grid.

Then there’s Jodie Turner-Smith, who commands the screen as Athena, the film’s ruthless antagonist. She radiates an almost predatory energy — T-1000 levels of terrifying precision — making every scene she’s in tense and unpredictable. Her presence, combined with Leto’s introspective take on Ares and Lee’s layered performance, gives Tron: Ares a compelling triad of characters to orbit around.

Beyond its visual appeal, the story itself is full of surprises. Corporate espionage takes center stage, a fitting development for a franchise that has consistently explored the intersection of humanity and technology. Honestly, it’s surprising that this theme hasn’t been explored before in the series. Yet, Jesse Wigutow’s script seamlessly integrates this theme into the franchise’s longstanding fascination with digital identity and control.

Overall, Tron: Ares isn’t perfect as its emotional circuitry doesn’t always connect. Nevertheless, it’s a visually stunning, sonically thunderous reminder that The Grid still burns bright. Jared Leto’s devotion to the series shines through in every detail — from the sound design to the glowing edges of every light disc. It’s a sequel that respects its codebase while daring to rewrite it.

Review: 3.5/5 atoms

Tron: Ares hits theaters on October 10th.

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Fifteen years after Tron: Legacy, Ares marks a new beginning—one that finally breaks free of the Grid. For the first time in the series, the action spills into the real world. Jared Leto plays Ares, a digital soldier who’s pulled from the virtual realm into reality by Julian Dillinger, a slick tech bro played by Evan Peters. That last name should sound familiar—he’s the youngest son of the original Tron villain, Edward Dillinger. And yes, Jeff Bridges is back as Flynn, though the panel kept quiet on how exactly his character fits into this new story.

Leto, who also produces the film and joined the project in 2017, proudly declared himself “an official Tron superfan.” He admitted, “If I wasn’t on the stage, I would be in the audience.” He described filming a scene with Bridges as a surreal experience. “I just can’t stop smiling, because I’m working with this guy,” he recalled telling the first AD after calling “cut” mid-scene. “Everyone was surprised, because I don’t often do that.”

Bridges, who helped launch this digital universe back in 1982, marveled at the fact that he’s still part of it. “’82? 43 years ago? Come on, man!” he laughed. That said, he admitted to being a little wary at first. “I remember spending the first day wondering how things would go,” he said, poking fun at Leto’s well-known method acting. “I heard Jared only wants to be called by his character. Everybody’s got different methods and modes. It’s a tough part, man, to play a program!” Bridges got a laugh when he revealed that instead of just calling him “Ares,” he asked if he could go with “Ar.”

Greta Lee, beaming at her first Comic-Con appearance, said she told her agents one thing. She asked, “find me something where I can ride a lightcycle.” Mission accomplished. One of the extended scenes sees her driving a lightcycle after stealing it from Athena (Jodie Turner-Smith). Arturo Castro and Hasan Minhaj, who play Encom executives, brought their comedic timing to the panel, drawing parallels between the fictional megacorp and the studio that made the film. “It was like walking into Disneyland every day,” Castro joked. “And I’m not just saying that because they signed my checks—because they have my family.” Minhaj added, “Let this film bring as much shareholder value to the company as possible this quarter. Really, what this is about is Encom and its earnings, which is a metaphor for the Walt Disney Corporation, one of the best corporations.”

Tron: Ares hits theaters on October 10th.

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Disney has released the first teaser trailer for Tron: Ares, giving fans a fresh glimpse at the long-awaited next chapter of the groundbreaking sci-fi saga. Jared Leto leads the cast as the mysterious Ares. At the same time, Jeff Bridges returns as Kevin Flynn, making his first on-screen appearance in the franchise since Tron: Legacy.

And yes—it looks absolutely wild.

There are several things to note about the teaser trailer. Yet, the biggest one is that this isn’t just another Tron film spent on the Grid. This time, the Grid is breaking out of the computer. Light cycles are speeding through the real world now, slicing a police car clean in half by projecting their signature glowing wall. We also see a Recognizer—those giant hovering transport ships from the original films—towering over city buildings.

Overall, in this chaos, we hear Jeff Bridges’ iconic voice as Kevin Flynn: “Are you ready? Because there’s no going back.” We don’t know precisely how Kevin Flynn is back. Still, the fact that Bridges came out on stage with Jared Leto at CinemaCon means he will be an integral part of the story.

Adding even more excitement to the sequel is the music. Tron: Ares will feature an original score by Nine Inch Nails. While people still praise Daft Punk’s legendary Tron: Legacy soundtrack, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross bring their signature sound to Ares. Thus, expect something atmospheric, industrial, and deeply immersive to match this darker, more grounded take on the Grid. If there’s any composer or group that can follow up Daft Punk, it would be Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

The teaser also offers quick glimpses of Leto’s Ares, though his entire role remains under wraps. Tron: Ares is the third film in the franchise, following the 1982 original and 2010’s Tron: Legacy. With Ares, we know this is a new kind of Tron—one where the boundaries between humans and programs are blurring in a big way.

Tron: Ares hits theaters on October 10th.

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Not much is known about the image, but we’re going to guess we’re seeing Jared Leto as Ares, who’s getting ready to go from the digital world to the real world on a mission.

The film began principal photography in January in Vancouver, and it’s scheduled to be released in 2025.

“I’m excited to be part of the TRON franchise and bring this new film to fans around the world,” said director Joachim Rønning in the press release. “TRON: Ares builds upon the legacy of cutting-edge design, technology and storytelling. Now more than ever, it feels like the right time to return to the Grid.”

About Tron: Ares

Synopsis: 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.

The feature film stars Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Hasan Minhaj, Jodie Turner-Smith, Arturo Castro, Cameron Monaghan, with Gillian Anderson.

Sean Bailey, Jeffrey Silver, Justin Springer, Jared Leto, Emma Ludbrook and Steven Lisberger are the producers, with Russell Allen serving as executive producer.

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