In a surprising revelation, veteran actor Jeff Bridges has confirmed his return to the celebrated Tron science fiction franchise. Bridges, who originated the role of video game developer Kevin Flynn in the groundbreaking 1982 film Tron, will once again portray the character in the upcoming third installment titled Tron: Ares.
The news came directly from Bridges himself during a recent appearance on the Film Comment podcast. “I’m heading off this Saturday to play a part in the third installment of the Tron story,” stated the 73-year-old actor. “Jared Leto is the star of this third one, and I’m really anxious to work with him, and I’ve admired his work.”
Tron: Ares, set for theatrical release in 2025, will serve as both a sequel and a new chapter for the iconic sci-fi property. The film follows Leto’s character Ares, described as a highly sophisticated artificial intelligence program sent from the digital realm into the real world on a dangerous mission. This marks the first encounter between humanity and self-aware AI beings.
While story details are being kept under wraps, Bridges’ involvement raises intriguing questions about the narrative’s direction and Kevin Flynn’s role. In the 2010 sequel Tron: Legacy, Flynn appeared to make the ultimate sacrifice, transferring his identity to allow the program Quorra (Olivia Wilde) to enter the real world alongside his son Sam (Garrett Hedlund).
Directed by Joachim Rønning (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil), Tron: Ares boasts an impressive ensemble cast also featuring Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Hasan Minhaj, Jodie Turner-Smith, Arturo Castro, Cameron Monaghan, and Gillian Anderson. The script was penned by Jesse Wigutow and Jack Thorne.
Bridges expressed enthusiasm about the film’s approach to visual effects, noting, “I hear there’s even less AI stuff in this. It’s going to be more a practical set, and they’re beautiful; there are beautiful sets that I’ve seen.”
The original Tron, conceived as a visionary blend of live-action and pioneering computer animation, earned a cult following despite its initial tepid box office performance. Tron: Legacy, released nearly three decades later, introduced a new generation to the franchise’s distinct aesthetic while netting over $400 million globally.
As production gears up in Vancouver, anticipation builds for Bridges’ highly-anticipated reunion with the world of Tron and the iconic character that launched his journey into science fiction immortality.
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