‘Tron: Ares’ trailer: Jared Leto and Jeff Bridges bring The Grid to reality in ‘Tron: Legacy’ sequel

Tron: Ares trailer teases epic clash between humans and AI in highly-anticipated third installment of sci-fi franchise.

Over four decades since the original Tron hit theaters, and 14 years since it’s cult classic follow up, Tron: Legacy shaped an entire generation of fans, Disney has released the first trailer for the highly-anticipated Tron: Ares, the third installment in the long-running sci-fi franchise. The film stars Jared Leto as Ares, a highly advanced program sent from the digital world into the real one on a dangerous mission that marks the first contact between humans and AI entities.

The trailer opens with a dramatic light cycle chase through city streets. Rogue programs on the run quickly outmaneuver pursuing police cars, with the return of the franchise’s iconic light walls — one of which gloriously slices a police vehicle in half. The brief but action-packed footage blends the franchise’s digital aesthetic with real-world settings, teasing the clash between two realities.

While Jeff Bridges’ Kevin Flynn doesn’t appear onscreen in the trailer, his voice is heard toward the end, addressing Ares with the words, “Ready? Cause there’s no going back.” Bridges, who first portrayed Flynn in Tron (1982) and reprised the role in Tron: Legacy (2010), spoke about the franchise’s longevity during the film’s reveal at the 2024 D23 Expo. “It’s amazing — we never thought we would have this legacy that’s continued on all these years,” he said.

Directed by Joachim Rønning, Tron: Ares features a cast that includes Evan Peters, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith, Cameron Monaghan, Sarah Desjardins, Hasan Minhaj, Arturo Castro, and Gillian Anderson. Peters plays Julian Dillinger, a character whose name nods to the original film’s antagonist, Ed Dillinger.

The film’s production faced delays due to the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, but filming eventually wrapped in May 2024. Nine Inch Nails, led by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, are composing the score. Known for their award-winning work on The Social Network, Soul, and their recent collaborations with Luca Guadagnino on Challengers and Queer, the duo brings a dark, electronic tone fitting for the digital world of Tron.

Jack Thorne, best known for the breakout Netflix miniseries Adolescence, co-wrote the screenplay for Tron: Ares alongside Jesse Wigutow. Cinematography is handled by Jeff Cronenweth, a longtime David Fincher collaborator whose credits include The Social Network, Gone Girl, and other acclaimed films.

Tron: Ares is set to release in theaters on October 10.