After facing multiple delays and setbacks, production on Tron: Ares, the highly anticipated third film in the Tron franchise, has finally commenced. This news comes as a relief to fans who have been eagerly waiting for the next installment since the release of Tron: Legacy in 2010.
The journey to bring Tron: Ares to the big screen has been a tumultuous one. Plans for a sequel to Tron: Legacy were initially announced back in 2010, shortly after the release of the second film. However, these plans were abandoned by Disney in 2015, leaving fans disappointed.
In 2017, the project was resurrected with Jared Leto attached to star. Filming was scheduled to begin in August of last year, but was once again delayed due to strikes by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).
Finally, after years of uncertainty and anticipation, director Joachim Rønning has confirmed that Tron: Ares has officially entered the production phase. Rønning shared a set photo on Instagram showcasing the film's stylized logo, which features the number 3 in place of the letter O. He captioned the photo with 'WEEK 1 ON THE GRID,' signaling the exciting start of filming.
The original Tron, released in 1982, may not have been a box office hit at the time, but it has since gained a devoted cult following. The film was praised for its groundbreaking visual effects and unique storyline, which introduced audiences to the digital world of the Grid. This legacy and the anticipation surrounding the sequel made Tron: Legacy a highly anticipated release in 2010. However, reactions to the film were mixed, even though it achieved commercial success.
Despite the lukewarm response to Tron: Legacy, Disney saw potential in continuing the franchise. Initially titled Tron: Ascension, the third installment was envisioned as an 'invasion movie,' with characters from the Grid crossing over into the real world. Olivia Wilde and Garrett Hedlund were expected to reprise their roles from Tron: Legacy. Unfortunately, Disney decided to halt production in 2015, just as filming was set to begin, leaving the future of the franchise uncertain.
At this point, it remains unclear whether Hedlund and Wilde will be returning for Tron: Ares. Details about the plot of the film are scarce, but fans are undoubtedly excited to see where this latest iteration of the Tron universe will take them.
Tron: Ares is currently scheduled for release in December 2025, a whopping 43 years after the release of the original Tron. It will be interesting to see how director Joachim Rønning and star Jared Leto bring their vision to life and continue the enduring legacy of the Tron franchise.
With production now officially underway, fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to once again stepping into the mesmerizing world of the Grid. Let's hope that Tron: Ares will live up to its predecessors and deliver an exciting and immersive cinematic experience.
