It’s Tronin’ Time! -Tron: Ares (2025)

Following our deep dive into Tron (1982) and Tron: Legacy (2010), we’re stepping back into the Grid to explore Disney’s long-awaited sequel, Tron: Ares. This article offers a spoiler-free preview of our full discussion—available exclusively to Patreon subscribers—where we analyse the film’s boldest ideas, its take on artificial intelligence, and how it reshapes the digital mythology of the Tron universe.

The Return to the Grid

Tron: Ares introduces Jared Leto as Ares, a program sent into the physical world, marking the first time the franchise fully crosses into human territory. We discuss how this shift changes the stakes of the Tron mythos and what it means for the future of AI storytelling on screen.

• Jared Leto’s performance as an AI messiah figure (is it visionary or overplayed?)

• Nine Inch Nails’ soundtrack – does it redefine the sonic identity of Tron or rely too heavily on nostalgia?

• The legacy question – is Tron: Ares an evolution of the franchise, or another studio reboot banking on brand recognition?

  
  

Early Critical Reaction

Critics are calling it “a neon-drenched spectacle with a killer Nine Inch Nails score, but a story that doesn’t always keep up.”  We break down whether that criticism is fair - or if Tron: Ares is actually an ambitious sci-fi blockbuster...

Behind the Scenes: Production Facts

To boost our deep dive, here are some confirmed behind-the-scenes insights we unpack further in the full episode:

• Nine Inch Nails composed over 90 minutes of original music for the film, blending analog synths with real-time AI-generated soundscapes.

• The “29-minute permanence rule”—a key plot device in the film—was inspired by real-world experiments in quantum computing.

• ENCOM vs. Dillinger’s tech empire mirrors real legal battles in Silicon Valley over AI patent ownership.

  
  

Listen to the Full Spoiler Discussion

In the Patreon-exclusive episode, we go all in on plot, character development, AI ethics, and our final verdict on whether Tron: Ares secures the franchise’s future...or not.

Hear the full conversation and support the show: [Patreon link here]