The TRON franchise is officially making its return with TRON: Ares, the third installment in the visually stunning, tech-heavy sci-fi series that has fascinated fans for decades. Ever since TRON: Legacy came out in 2010, fans have been eagerly awaiting a new chapter in this groundbreaking saga. With production moving forward and cast details starting to emerge, TRON: Ares promises to be one of the most anticipated sci-fi movies of the coming years. Here’s a breakdown of everything we know so far, including the cast, plot, and where this film fits in the larger TRON universe.

The TRON Franchise: A Brief History

To understand TRON: Ares, it’s important to look at the legacy that came before it. The original TRON film was released in 1982, directed by Steven Lisberger. At the time, it was revolutionary for its use of computer-generated imagery (CGI), something few films had even attempted. TRON was set inside a digital world called “the Grid,” where computer programs were represented by humanoid avatars, and the story followed a computer programmer named Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), who gets sucked into this digital universe.

Although the original film didn’t perform as well at the box office as hoped, it became a cult classic over the years, largely due to its innovative visual effects and unique premise. Fast forward to 2010, and Disney released TRON: Legacy, a sequel that picked up the story decades later. This time, Kevin Flynn’s son, Sam Flynn (played by Garrett Hedlund), finds himself drawn into the same digital realm, where his father has been trapped for years. With its cutting-edge CGI and a Daft Punk soundtrack that’s still praised today, TRON: Legacy reinvigorated the franchise and left fans wanting more.

Now, after a long wait, TRON: Ares aims to continue the story and expand the mythology of the Grid.

What’s the Story for TRON: Ares?

While much of the plot remains under wraps, some key details have been teased. TRON: Ares will reportedly shift its focus to the titular character, Ares, a new entity within the Grid. It seems likely that Ares will be either a program or a user (possibly both), trying to navigate the increasingly complex world of the Grid while wrestling with questions of identity, freedom, and control. Some reports suggest that Ares might even be leading a rebellion of sorts, against the systems that govern the digital universe.

What makes the TRON franchise interesting is its underlying exploration of the relationship between humans and technology, and this movie will likely dive deeper into those themes. Considering how fast technology has evolved in the real world since TRON: Legacy, from AI to virtual reality and beyond, TRON: Ares has a treasure trove of new ideas to explore.

The Cast: Big Names Join the Grid

Fans were thrilled when it was announced that Jared Leto would be leading the cast as Ares. Leto, known for his transformative performances in films like Dallas Buyers Club and Morbius, is expected to bring a unique energy to this new central character. Leto has expressed his excitement about the project, and given his commitment to roles, it’s safe to say that he’ll dive deep into the digital world of TRON.

Joining Leto in TRON: Ares is Greta Lee, a rising star best known for her roles in Russian Doll and Past Lives. Lee is set to play a key role, though details about her character remain scarce. She brings a sharp intensity to her performances, so it’ll be fascinating to see how she fits into the narrative of the Grid.

Another exciting addition to the cast is Evan Peters, who gained attention for his roles in American Horror Story and his Emmy-winning turn in Mare of Easttown. Peters has proven his range time and time again, and having him onboard adds another layer of intrigue to the film. His role is still under wraps, but fans are speculating that he may play either a villainous program or a chaotic element within the Grid.

Returning from TRON: Legacy is Bruce Boxleitner, reprising his role as Alan Bradley, aka TRON. His character has been pivotal to the series, so seeing him return signals that this new film will still be deeply rooted in the original TRON mythology.

Where TRON: Ares Fits in the Franchise

While TRON: Ares is the third film in the series, it’s not exactly a direct sequel to TRON: Legacy. Instead, it’s expected to expand the story beyond the characters and events from the previous films, while still respecting the established lore. With Jared Leto’s character, Ares, at the center of the story, the film is likely to introduce new layers of the digital world that haven’t been explored yet.

In TRON: Legacy, we were left with the idea that the Grid might be accessible in new ways, potentially merging with the real world in some form. It’s possible that TRON: Ares will explore how the boundaries between the digital and physical realms continue to blur. And given that technology has advanced so much since 2010, this movie has the chance to explore everything from artificial intelligence to augmented reality, much like how the original TRON reflected the early days of computing.

Although we may not see Garrett Hedlund’s Sam Flynn or Olivia Wilde’s Quorra return, TRON: Ares is expected to take the franchise in a new direction, focusing on how the Grid evolves and impacts the wider universe.

The Future of TRON

After the long gap between TRON: Legacy and TRON: Ares, it’s clear that Disney is betting big on this film to reignite interest in the franchise. The world of TRON is uniquely suited for today’s cinematic landscape, where CGI and world-building are bigger than ever. With technology playing an even larger role in our lives, the themes that TRON has always dealt with—control, freedom, and the consequences of digital power—are more relevant now than ever.

If TRON: Ares is a success, it could open the door to even more stories in the TRON universe, whether through spin-offs, sequels, or even a series. The Grid is a vast world with endless possibilities, and TRON has always thrived on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with both technology and storytelling.