Gillian Anderson joins Tron: Ares. What else to know about the sci-fi sequel!

Dana Scully is headed to the Game Grid. 

In the latest update for Tron: Ares, Emmy and Golden Globe-winning The X-Files star Gillian Anderson has joined the long-awaited sequel to Disney’s sci-fi franchise. She’s part of a star-studded cast that’s ready to boost the franchise back to prominence. Here’s what we know of the movie so far!

What is Tron?

Released in 1982, Tron told the tale of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), a young programmer trying to prove that corrupt boss Dillinger (David Warner) had stolen Flynn’s video games to present as his own. The Master Control Program, a powerful computer entity, managed to transport Flynn into the Game Grid, where programs had human avatars. 

Flynn teamed up with Tron (Bruce Boxleitner), a heroic program to fight the MCP and his agent Sark (also played by Warner). The movie was notable as the first film to extensively use then-new CGI graphics, making it a groundbreaker for movies. 

The film wasn’t successful in its time, but as the years went on, it gained a huge cult following. There were attempts for years at a sequel until 2010’s Tron: Legacy, with Bridges reprising his role as Flynn and (thanks to de-aging CGI) the villainous Clu. 

Now, 13 years later, Tron: Ares is set to bring fans back to the Game Grid. 

What is Tron: Ares about?

Plot details in the movie have been tightly kept, but it appears it’s going to flip the concept over as instead of a human thrust into the computer world, a video game character named Ares enters the real world. 

The film is directed by Joachim Rønning, who has experience with big-budget Disney films as he directed both Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.

Who stars in Tron: Ares?

The big name of the cast is Oscar winner Jared Leto as Ares. The rest of the cast is being filled out, including Cameron Monaghan, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, and Jodie Turner-Smith.

Newly added to the cast, per Deadline, is Gillian Anderson. The actress broke out with her iconic role as Dana Scully in The X-Files and has since added more acclaimed roles such as The Crown, The Fall and Sex Education. 

Disney hasn’t revealed more about who the actors play, no doubt wanting to keep some surprises for the fans. There’s no word yet if Bridges will reprise his role as Flynn, but it’s possible he makes a surprise cameo. 

• Jared Leto as Ares
• Evan Peters
• Greta Lee
• Jodie Turner-Smith
• Cameron Monaghan
• Sarah Desjardins
• Gillian Anderson

When does Tron: Ares release? 

The film has hit several delays, notably how it was set to start filming in August of 2023, only for the Hollywood strikes to put it off. But it’s finally getting underway, with Ronning sharing a pic of the first day of filming on his Instagram page. 

This means it’s uncertain when the movie will release as Disney was likely hoping for a Christmas 2024 date, but now it is more likely to be the summer of 2025. 

At least fans know a return to the world of Tron is coming with a fantastic new adventure for the sci-fi franchise.

Tron and Tron: Legacy streaming on Disney+.