After years of development, Tron: Ares finally leaves the Grid and hits the screen, bringing a new sci-fi story about fictional cyberspace that is reflected in today's tech headlines.
While critics have criticized the new film's obvious plot and bland characters, the mid-credits scene strongly hints at another sequel (more on that later). But will Tron 4 continue after the rocky start of the last film?
According to director Joachim Rønning, “it always depends on how many people want to see it.” This is what Rønning, together with Tron: Ares producers, told me about the likelihood of another installment and where the Tron universe might go next.
Is Tron: Ares hinting at a sequel?
Spoilers for the end of Tron: Ares, Come back now if you haven't seen it.
If you have read my Tron: Ares review (light spoilers), then you'll know there's a mid-credits scene that suggests Dillinger Systems CEO Julian Dillinger, played by Evan Peters, could return in future installments.
After lasering himself into the Dillinger Grid to escape arrest, Dillinger's digital self is equipped with a light suit that will look familiar to fans of the original 1982 film. This is because the V-shaped helmet he wears is almost identical to the one worn by Sark, the villain from the first film.
This suggests that there is already a potential story that Disney could take advantage of. But of course, nothing has been confirmed yet, and furthermore, a sequel wouldn't necessarily have to follow the rules. Tron: Ares has arranged.
After all, the script for the third installment had been adapted from the canceled Tron: Ascensionwhich was going to be more of a direct sequel to Tron: Legacy. In fact, if it weren't for that first draft, then Tron: Ares it might not have existed at all.
“[Jared Leto]”It's a big reason why we're sitting here,” Rønning said. “He saw a character [in that early draft] and he said, “this is the character I want to play, so let me know if you ever want to do it.” [Ares] the main character'.”
Where could a new Tron movie go?
The Tron franchise has always revolved around technology and, as Rønning says, “giving a glimpse of tomorrow.” It has become a formula that many will recognize. In fact, according to one of the producers in Tron: Ares, Sean Bailey: “Every Tron movie has to do three things: talk about the future, innovate technologically, and explore our relationship with technology.”
Steven Lisberger's original film foresaw the rise of home computing, while Joseph Kosinski's subsequent sequel expanded on themes related to the future of AI in the Internet age. In Tron: Ares, An AI program is struggling to exist in the real world, which is exactly where we find ourselves today.
While the concept was written before the rise of ChatGPT, the rapid pace of technological advancements means that many of the ideas the film explores around physical devices carrying AI agents and 3D printing have begun to become a reality.
“A lot of the ideas we had at the beginning have started to come to fruition in recent years,” said Justin Springer, another producer who worked on the film. “And obviously there's a big conversation about artificial intelligence and the role it will play in our lives in the future.”
It wouldn't be surprising if the next iteration of tron explores how humans and machines can coexist in the real world, similar to what we saw in iRobotor address the metaverse and the blurred lines of humanity with digital realities, as in Ready player one.
What has the Tron: Ares team said about a sequel?
With several hints of another. tron movie, it is reasonable to speculate that a sequel is on the minds of the Tron: Ares crew, although nothing is guaranteed.
“We put in a couple of fun things for the fans and maybe set up a couple of things, but we're really just trying to deliver on this movie,” Bailey said of the potential for a sequel.
Rønning was even more cryptic: “It all depends on how many people want to see it… I just wanted to have fun with some of these Easter eggs and we'll see if we're lucky enough to continue the journey.”
