Is Tron 3 Happening? Here’s Everything We Know

Lucas Aquino
Jan 19, 2024
Jan 20, 2024

If you happen to be a tech-savvy guy and a sci-fi lover, Disney’s Tron series is something you don’t want to miss. In the first installment, "Tron" (1982), we're catapulted into the computerized universe where programs live, and the iconic character Flynn battles for survival against the malevolent Master Control Program. Fast forward to "Tron: Legacy" (2010), and we witness Flynn's son, Sam, being drawn into the Grid in search of his missing father.

With the neon-soaked landscapes and electrifying light cycles creating a stunning visual spectacle, Trong is one of the first movie franchises that show us what life is like in a virtual, computer-generated hostile world. Fans have been looking forward to a potential Tron 3 for more than 10 years to complete the trilogy, but is the movie happening at all? Here’s everything we know.

#1. Is Tron 3 Happening?

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A post shared by Joachim Rønning (@joachimronning)

Source: Joachim Ronning, Instagram

Good news for the series’ fans, after years and years of delay, Tron 3 is officially back in the slate. The film will serve as a sequel to the last one, Tron: Legacy in 2010, and is said to feature a brand-new cast. Tron 3’s filming was initially planned to start last August, but was ultimately delayed due to the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes at the time.

Now that the Hollywood strikes are over, the film’s director, Joachim Ronning confirmed on Instagram that Trong 3 has finally begun filming. He also posted a new set photo, featuring a director’s chair with the stylized Tron 3 logo on it. Ronning wrote the caption: “Week 1 On The Grid,” suggesting that the movie will once again take place in The Grid just like the second one.

#2. What Is Tron 3’s Official Name?

Source: Disney

The Tron franchise isn’t named in numerical order, with the second one named Tron: Legacy. The threequel reportedly follows the same pattern. It was initially named Tron: Ascension, however, as Joseph Kosinski’s project fell apart, the movie didn’t come to fruition.

Now that the movie is resumed with a brand-new cast and director, the much-anticipated sequel is named Tron: Ares, with the eponymous character as the main protagonist.

#3. What Do We Know About Tron: Ares’ Cast?

Source: Samir Hussein, Getty Images

The main actors in the sequel Tron: Legacy, Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde, were planned to return to the original Tron: Ascension, but as the project fell through, there is no certain that the duo will return in Tron: Ares or not. Instead, the upcoming threequel will feature a new protagonist named Ares, portrayed by Jared Leto.

So far, there hasn’t been any further information about Ares’ background story, or whether he’s a human or a computer program like Tron. Some other actors in the movie include Cameron Monaghan, Evan Peters, Sarah Desjardins, and Greta Lee, as they are cast into unknown roles.

#4. What is Tron: Ares’ Story?

Source: Disney

So far, there isn’t much information about Tron: Ares’s plot. The original Tron: Ascension project saw characters and programs from the Grid invade the real world, and it’s Sam Flynn and Quorra’s responsibility to put a stop to them. However, as the film fell through, Tron: Ares’ plot is said to be revitalized completely, and will serve as a reboot rather than a sequel to Legacy.

Many fans are skeptical of Leto’s appearance in the movie, as the actor seems to be stuck in a rut lately. Some of his latest movies, Suicide Squad and Morbius were disastrous, to say the least, so Tron: Ares should be Leto’s best chance of redemption.

#5. When Is Tron: Ares’ Release Date?

Source: Disney

As the movie is only starting to film, Tron: Ares hasn’t had a fixed release date just yet. However, the threequel is projected to come out in December 2025. Tron: Ares will be directed by Joachim Ronning, and its story will be written by the duo Steven Lisberger and Bonnie MacBird. Besides portraying the main character Ares, Jare Leto is also one of the film’s producers.

The first two Tron movies, while aren’t critically acclaimed story-wise, are both considered cult classics by the audience and generate a huge fan base. Tron: Ares, as a reboot movie, will have a lot to offer to live up to its predecessors’ success.

Do you think Tron: Ares can live up to fans’ expectations? Do you think the old cast, with Jeff Bridges and Garrett Hedlund, will return? Let us know in the comments.