"Tron: Ares" New Trailer: Jared Leto Enters Our World as a Rogue Program in Disney’s New Tron Sequel with Greta Lee, Evan Peters, and Jeff Bridges
The Grid breaks through the real world in this neon-lit battle between A.I. creation and human control.
There are two schools of thought when it comes to the future of A.I. It’s what journalist Karen Hao, in her new book Empire of AI, has categorized into two camps: the boomers and the doomers. The boomers firmly believe A.I. will eventually bring humanity closer to utopia, while the doomers are convinced it will ultimately lead to humanity’s destructive downfall. Hao also goes on to cite that these two camps, despite their starkly contrasting beliefs, are really two sides of the same coin—both firmly viewing the future of A.I. as quasi-religious, and something so monumental that it can’t be governed democratically, but instead must be tightly controlled by centralized entities.
Now, what does that have to do with Tron: Ares, the upcoming latest installment in the beloved cult Tron film series? Well, to be honest, there’s no direct connection. But it is interesting to see how this franchise has evolved: from the original concept of a digitized world where computer programs fight each other in neon-lit, video game-like tournaments, to something that now taps into deeper, more philosophical questions about technology, human consciousness, virtual autonomy, and the blurring lines between artificial intelligence and human intelligence.
Look, when Tron: Ares was first announced as being in production, it probably triggered a fair number of eye rolls (count us among them). After all, this is a franchise that has always felt more like a cult relic than a mainstream juggernaut. And after years of development limbo, it was fair to wonder: who was really asking for this?
Now, however, with the topic of A.I. dominating conversations in tech, political, and art spaces, the return of Tron suddenly feels more relevant than ever. And what was once a retro-futuristic curiosity about life inside a video game has now become a timely reflection on the consequences of digital creation, as this new film seems to be plugging directly into today’s anxieties about A.I.—and what happens when our digital creations start believing they know better than us.
Now, no one should be reading Tron: Ares as having something profound to say about the state of A.I. development. After all, it’s still a Disney sci-fi action film with Jared Leto… and Jared Leto looking more like his Thirty Seconds to Mars self, just in a light suit. But it’s interesting the movie is coming out at a time when A.I. is on everyone’s mind, as we witness a technological shift from algorithms that merely assist us to new high-tech systems that aim to anticipate, imitate, and even replace us.
“Since time began, man has gazed at the stars and he has wondered... Am I alone?”
The new trailer for Tron: Ares begins with this statement, delivered by actor Evan Peters, who plays a character named Julian Dillinger. From the name alone, we can assume he’s the heir (perhaps the son or grandson) of Ed Dillinger, the icy senior executive vice president of ENCOM from the original Tron film, famously portrayed by David Warner.
Dillinger continues, “So much talk of A.I. and big tech today. Virtual worlds—what are they going to look like when we get there? Well, folks, we’re not going there... They are coming here.”
We see Dillinger addressing a large warehouse room filled with global dignitaries, military leaders, and high-ranking government officials. At the center of the room: flashing laser beams. Soon, a large high-tech pod materializes out of thin air from the ground up. Its sleek metal doors slowly open. From within, a figure steps forward clad in a neon red-lit armored suit. The black visor of his motorcycle-style helmet dissolves, revealing the face of Jared Leto—looking like a digital-age Jesus with flowing jet-black hair and piercing eyes.
Dillinger: “I would like you to meet Ares, the ultimate soldier. He’s biblically strong, lightning fast, and supremely intelligent.”
He might be the perfect weapon. As Dillinger clarifies yet another huge benefit, “And if he is struck down on the battlefield, I will simply make you another.”
But as much as Dillinger thinks he can control these Tron soldiers—especially now that they’ve crossed over and invaded our reality—he’s got another thing coming. Because when it comes to the will of living—whether human or program—one thing is for sure: there’s no barrier strong enough to contain it. And perhaps control is the real illusion.
Directed by acclaimed Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Rønning—who previously helmed Disney’s fantasy sequel Maleficent: Mistress of Evil and, more recently, the acclaimed Daisy Ridley-led period drama Young Woman and the Sea—Tron: Ares also stars Past Lives breakout Greta Lee as a big-city detective who finds herself drawn into the neon-lit mayhem when Jared Leto’s Ares goes rogue after the entire Tron: Ares project spirals out of control.
From the look of things, the city appears to be under siege, invaded by an onslaught of Recognizer ships that have crossed over from the Grid. It seems whatever barrier once existed between our world and theirs... is now gone.
The cast also includes Gillian Anderson, Jodie Turner-Smith, Hasan Minhaj, Cameron Monaghan, Sarah Desjardins, and Arturo Castro, with Jeff Bridges back as Kevin Flynn, the man who started it all and is now possibly seen as the last, great “User.”
Filmed on IMAX, Tron: Ares is slated to open in theaters October 10th.
As part of the promotion, the new trailer also features the first sample of the soundtrack’s music track, As Alive As You Need Me To Be, by legendary rock band Nine Inch Nails.
In fact, this marks the first time Oscar-winning composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross will be using the NIN band name while providing the film’s original score—blending their signature industrial rock sound with the digital pulse of the Tron universe.
Have a listen, below:
