Tron 3 Ares: We Could Talk to Jared Leto, Greta Lee, and the Director

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Tron: Ares – Exploring AI and Human Emotions with Jared Leto and Cast

Thirteen years after Tron: Legacy, Disney is bringing the franchise back with Tron: Ares. The film features a new cast, including Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith, Peter Evans, and Gillian Anderson. Directed by Joachim Rønning, it is set to return to the Grid, aiming to explore beyond visual spectacle by giving machines a soul, or at least emotions. The cast and Rønning recently discussed the film in Paris, fielding numerous questions about its themes and the broader topic of artificial intelligence, a prominent contemporary issue. Jared Leto, who portrays an AI program poised to enter the real world and experience human emotions for the first time, spoke about his character’s journey. Leto noted that the Tron franchise has always explored themes of duality and consciousness, with humans encountering their digital counterparts and players being drawn into virtual worlds. He cited Jeff Bridges’ performance in Starman as an inspiration, discussing concepts of rebirth and rebooting.

Tron: Ares – Greta Lee’s Emotional Core in Sci-Fi Action Debut

Greta Lee makes her debut in the sci-fi action genre with the film. Known for her roles in independent films like Past Lives, the production team reportedly praised her casting for her ability to convey raw emotion. Leto emphasized that Lee’s performance is the emotional core of the film, highlighting its goal of reintroducing humanity into the code, irrespective of the special effects. Director Joachim Rønning shared his approach to honoring the Tron legacy while forging a new path. His vision involves opening up the Grid and blending virtual reality with the real world—for instance, by showing a lightcycle racing through a city—to confront the fantasy of the 1980s with modern-day realities. Cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth, known for his work on The Social Network, and designer Darren Gilford are contributing to this vision, reinterpreting Syd Mead’s original concepts for a world where AI is now a part of daily life.

Tron: Ares – Cast’s Gaming Pasts & Nine Inch Nails Score

During the interview, cast members also shared their favorite classic video games. Jodie Turner-Smith recalled playing Duck Hunt and Snake on her old Nokia 3310, while Greta Lee enjoyed Mario Kart and Super Mario Bros., also mentioning Minecraft for its social aspects. Adding to the creative team, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails are composing the film’s score. Tron: Ares promises an innovative exploration of AI and emotion, blending a revered cinematic legacy with a contemporary perspective.