After 15 years, the Tron franchise has returned with Tron: Ares, but it may not be the last. Tron is a unique franchise for Disney, as it hasn’t been a major moneymaker for the studio, but the studio continues to reignite it. Still, the original 1982 film and Tron: Legacy have developed strong fan bases over time.
Each film serves as an interesting experiment in what’s possible with special effects in film. While 1982’s Tron looks dated now, the effects were revolutionary at the time. Legacy still looks fantastic, besides the de-aged Jeff Bridges. The visual aesthetic is the star of these films, and the grid and its games continue to capture people’s imagination.
Tron: Ares is the latest attempt to make this franchise a global sensation, something Disney clearly wants to happen based on the Tron: Lightcycle Run roller coaster now at Shanghai Disneyland and Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Ares does leave the door open for more, but that may only happen if Disney believes it’s a worthwhile investment.
Tron 4 Has Not Been Announced
As previously stated, Tron is not a consistent cash cow for Disney. Tron made $33 million worldwide in 1982, and Legacy made $409.9 million on a $170 million budget. Tron 4 has not been announced, as Disney is likely showing restraint toward expanding the franchise if Ares struggles to generate a profit.
Ares was reportedly made for $180 million, meaning it needs to make around $360-$400 million worldwide to break even. That’s similar to what Legacy needed to make, but the 2010 film didn’t have to worry about audiences waiting to watch the film on Disney+. However, Tron movies are theatrical experiences that demand the best screen and sound possible.
The Jared Leto-led film currently holds a 54% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, which is slightly higher than Legacy‘s. If it has poor word-of-mouth among viewers, that could lead to a decline in the film’s performance during its theatrical run. The film earned a B+ Cinemascore, which isn’t bad, but not an overly enthusiastic response from audiences.
Still, with excellent visuals that should be seen in IMAX 3-D, and an exceptional score from Nine Inch Nails, Ares is a film that’s worth seeing in theaters. It won’t have the same experience at home, and this could lead to a growing interest from viewers. Unfortunately, an underwhelming box office performance could lead to Tron 4 being derezzed before it’s even created.
How Tron: Ares Sets Up Tron 4’s Story
Ares sets up plenty of possibilities for a sequel. The movie introduces the permanence code, which can move things from the grid into the real world permanently. Julian Dillinger, the villainous head of Dillinger Systems, wants to use the code on his military weapons, while Eve, the head of ENCOM, wants to use it for a more noble purpose.
Jared Leto’s Ares also wants to use the code to escape the grid and become a permanent part of the outside world. The code is given to Ares by Kevin Flynn in the original grid from 1982, and he is sent back into the real world. Once there, he defeats Athena and starts his new life outside the grid.
Eve and Ares both get what they want, and Eve uses the code to positively change the world. Ares uses his newfound humanity to travel the world, looking for a new purpose. In the final scene, Ares writes a postcard to Eve, describing his future plans, but also teases what the story could be for the next film.
While writing, he looks at a few pH๏τos featuring Sam Flynn and Quorra from Tron: Legacy. Quorra is a talented warrior and the last of the ISO who escapes the grid with Sam after gaining a fascination with the outside world. Ares’ final voiceover suggests he’s looking for Quorra, setting up a possible meeting between the two in a sequel.
In a post-credits scene, Dillinger arrives in the grid after digitizing himself to avoid getting arrested. He takes hold of a disc and develops an outfit similar to Sark from the 1982 film. Sark is one of Tron‘s main antagonists and the right-hand man to the Master Control Program. If Tron 4 happens, it may already have its main villain.
Potential Tron 4 Cast Members
Tron 4 could include an interesting mix of characters from the entire Tron trilogy. Leto’s Ares would likely return, but the film’s ending suggests Olivia Wilde’s Quorra and Garrett Hedlund’s Sam Flynn could play important roles in future films. It’s also possible that Cillian Murphy could return as Edward Dillinger Jr, now that Dillinger Systems needs a new CEO.
Other possible returning characters could be Greta Lee as Eve, Hasan Minhaj as Ajay Singh, and Arturo Castro as Seth Flores. While he had a smaller role in Ares, Disney would love to find a way for Jeff Bridges to make another appearance in Tron 4, serving as the connective tissue for these movies.
As for the villains, the franchise has plans for Evan Peters’ Julian Dillinger as he takes on a powerful role within the grid. Jodie Turner-Smith’s Athena died, but if Julian can restore the grid, maybe he can recreate Athena. There are plenty of possibilities for Tron 4, but it mainly depends on whether Tron: Ares will be a success.
