TRON: Ares, the eagerly awaited third chapter in the revolutionary TRON franchise, is set to premiere in theaters on October 10th. With just over two months remaining until its release, excitement is building, especially following a recent TRON: Ares panel at the San Diego Comic-Con, designed to elevate the anticipation surrounding this cinematic event.

This visually stunning film is helmed by Joachim Rønning, who is known for directing Maleficent: Mistress of Evil and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. The star-studded cast includes Jared Leto (Morbius), Cameron Monaghan (Gotham), Evan Peters (Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story), Greta Lee (Past Lives), Sarah Desjardins (Yellowjackets), Gillian Anderson (The X-Files), Hasan Minhaj (No Hard Feelings), Arturo Castro (Road House), and Jodie Turner-Smith (Queen & Slim), along with the return of TRON veteran Jeff Bridges. The producing team comprises Sean Bailey, Jeffrey Silver, Justin Springer, Jared Leto, Emma Ludbrook, and Steven Lisberger, with Russell Allen serving as executive producer.

The screenplay for TRON: Ares is crafted by Jesse Wigutow and Jack Thorne, and it narrates the thrilling journey of Ares, a highly advanced Program dispatched from the digital world into the real world on a perilous mission, marking humanity’s initial encounter with artificial intelligence. Leto embodies Ares, described by Deadline as “a fictional character who crosses over from the realm of video games to planet Earth.” This intriguing premise sets the stage for an exploration of technology’s impact on humanity.

For nearly three decades, the original TRON film, directed by Steven Lisberger, stood as a beloved standalone science fiction adventure. The landscape changed in 2010 when Joseph Kosinski revived the TRON universe with TRON: Legacy. Although Kosinski aimed to produce a sequel titled TRON: Ascension, Disney halted the project after the underwhelming performance of Tomorrowland. Interestingly, the character Ares was initially part of the Ascension narrative, and its evolution has led to the development of TRON: Ares. Kosinski had even considered giving Leto a cameo in TRON: Legacy, where Lisberger himself made a brief appearance. Discussions about TRON: Ares began around 2017, but production only kicked off in 2024.

Chris Bumbray from JoBlo attended the Comic-Con panel and reported that Kevin Smith moderated the event with humorous remarks about the elaborate stage entrance, joking it cost more than Clerks. The full cast, including Jeff Bridges and the original TRON director Steven Lisberger, graced the stage. Bridges expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “It’s so cool man! It’s such a fun world to be a part of, and AI is on everyone’s minds these days. The Grid abides!” Lisberger emphasized the relevance of the original TRON in today’s digital world, noting, “We need to kick this technology around artistically before it kicks us around. That’s what TRON is all about.” He praised Bridges for his remarkable contributions to the franchise since its inception.

Jared Leto, a passionate advocate for the film’s creation, shared his deep-rooted admiration for the TRON franchise, which began when he was a child in 1982. He described Bridges as a personal hero and expressed that movies like TRON inspired his dreams. After nine years of effort to bring this project to fruition, it all started with one word: ARES. Bridges humorously recounted how he called Leto “Air” on set, aiming to add some complexity while maintaining respect. Leto admitted to struggling during their first scene together because he couldn’t stop smiling. Both he and Bridges bonded over their shared love for music and acknowledged that acting is just one of Leto’s many interests.

Greta Lee joined the TRON project primarily for the chance to ride a light cycle. She expressed her excitement at attending Comic-Con for the first time, noting it was different from her expectations. She believes the film will resonate with both devoted fans and newcomers unfamiliar with the TRON legacy.

A thrilling clip was screened, showcasing Athena, portrayed by Jodie Turner-Smith, entering the world to acquire code for Lee’s character Eve. The soundscape is reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails, yet infused with classic synth elements echoing Wendy Carlos’s iconic score for the original film. The sequence features the two programs racing on Lightcycles in the real world, pursuing Eve on her conventional motorcycle. The juxtaposition of lightcycles against a real-world backdrop is exhilarating, promising an action-packed experience that audiences will rave about. The scene culminates with Eve commandeering Athena’s lightcycle, leaving viewers eager for more.

Turner shared insights into the plot, hinting that Ares, while navigating the real world, develops compassion and human-like qualities, whereas Athena may be headed in the opposite direction.

Evan Peters appeared uncertain during the Q&A, leading Smith to jokingly label him as “Dahmer quiet.” Gillian Anderson reflected on her previous appearances in Hall H, claiming it felt larger in earlier years. Cameron Monaghan remarked on the impressive practical sets, noting that substantial elements of the Grid were physically constructed.

More footage followed, revealing that Athena is positioned as the antagonist working for Dillinger (Peters), while Ares takes on the role of the hero, striving to safeguard Greta Lee’s character. Initially tasked by Dillinger to eliminate her, Ares finds himself unable to harm a human. This sets the stage for a thrilling chase through the Grid, which has evolved into a more dystopian landscape compared to Legacy, featuring striking red lighting. In this world, Ares is depicted in red, while Greta Lee’s character is represented in blue. The score, enriched by contributions from Reznor, solidifies its identity as a Nine Inch Nails soundtrack, ensuring a unique auditory experience.

Jared Leto expressed admiration for the Daft Punk score from the previous film, arguing that only Nine Inch Nails could truly succeed in filling that musical void. When questioned about why 30 Seconds to Mars did not contribute to the soundtrack, he skillfully sidestepped the inquiry. Leto acknowledged the incredible crew behind the film and emphasized their need for recognition. Attendees were treated to a music video for the NIN single “As Alive As You Need Me To Be,” which is now available for download.

Are you excited about the upcoming release of TRON: Ares? What are your thoughts on the insights shared during the Comic-Con panel? We invite you to share your opinions by leaving a comment below.