Tron: Ares Footage Revives Our Excitement for the Iconic Sci-Fi Franchise

The Grid is back, and it’s breaking into our world. Disney has finally dropped the first official trailer for Tron: Ares, the long-awaited third installment in the Tron franchise, set to hit theaters on October 10, 2025.

Revealed over the weekend following a CinemaCon 2025 tease, the trailer offers a dazzling glimpse into a sci-fi epic that flips the script on its predecessors, bringing the digital realm crashing into reality. Directed by Joachim Rønning and starring Jared Leto as the titular Ares, this sequel promises to blend fresh, cutting-edge visuals with the franchise’s impeccable genre atmosphere.

Tron: Ares (2025) | Disney

What We Learned From the Tron: Ares Trailer

The trailer kicks off with a high-octane chase, as police cars pursue a rogue light cycle through a neon-drenched cityscape—a stark departure from the enclosed Grid of past films. One cop car meets a spectacular end, sliced in half by the cycle’s iconic light wall, signaling that Tron: Ares isn’t pulling punches. “I came here to find something. Something important. Permanence,” Leto’s character intones in a chilling voiceover, hinting at his mission as a sophisticated program crossing from the digital world into ours. The visuals are a feast of vibrant reds and pulsating energy, a shift from the franchise’s signature blues, amplifying the sense of a new, grittier chapter.

Jeff Bridges, reprising his role as Kevin Flynn from the 1982 original and 2010’s Tron: Legacy, bookends the trailer with a nostalgic nod. “Ready? ‘Cause there’s no going back,” his voice warns as a series of shots depict citywide destruction, neon-tints, and copious action. The cast, including Greta Lee as programmer Eve Kim, Evan Peters as antagonist Julian Dillinger, and Gillian Anderson in a yet-to-be-revealed role, adding star power to the mix, while Nine Inch Nails’ heavy-hitting score—crafted by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross—pulses with industrial edge, replacing Daft Punk’s legacy beats.

After years of development twists—canceled sequels, director swaps, and strike delays—Tron: Ares finally lands at a perfect moment. So, until it hits theaters later this year, we’ll just be eagerly awaiting the opportunity to plug back into the world of Tron.

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