Jared Leto might be a strange choice, but his vision for the upcoming TRON sequel might just breathe new life into an old console. But why is this such a big deal? Because he's giving an underrated Disney classic a much-needed upgrade.
The last time we entered the world of TRON (outside a Disney Parks ride) was back during TRON: Legacy around 15 years ago. While the film was visually stunning and had memorable performances, it was ultimately more of a Daft Punk music video with a Disney budget. Leto and director Joachim Rønning are about to change that.
Ares revives an icon
The trailer for the upcoming sci-fi adventure was released just today, and it already looks like a dark, cyberpunk thriller not normally seen from the House of Mouse. This honestly doesn't look like your typical Disney fare, and that could be what the studio needs. Especially after. the recent Snow White backlash.
Although fans were given just a brief taste of what Ares has to offer, there are some similarities between the new film and the original that can't be ignored.
Look at the events surrounding the original from 1982 starring Jeff Bridges and this new sequel. Technology is evolving and having a major impact on popular culture, and many are wondering how smart is too smart for both our favorite video games and electronic devices. Starting to sound familiar?
In the '80s, TRON was a major step forward for both Disney and cinema. Using a budding form of CGI animation, the film was ahead of its time. Despite a sometimes confusing plot line, the world of programs, users, and Master Computers became the backbone of a beloved cult film.
A similar perspective can be seen with the upcoming Ares. As technology continued to grow in the '80s, progress continues to march ever onward and ever forward in 2025. Especially surrounding the use of A.I. and other such programs.
Fans of the series will attest that it has always explored the deeper themes of the sci-fi genre, and the new film might further push the envelope by incorporating some exaggerated but very real issues. A.I. might not be so advanced that armor-clad dudes come out of our video games, but it might make us question the speed of its real-life advancement.
While not much is known about Ares apart from what Disney has released already, we've already been given more than enough reason to take an interest in this film, both in and out of the Game Grid. All we can do now is wait.
Tron: Ares premieres in theaters October 10.