Tron: Ares Is Definitely Happening

After the previous Tron sequel, Tron Legacy, failed to generate the profits Disney desired, we feared we’d never return to the stylistic, neon-glowing computer world ever again. There was talk of a Tron 3 on occasion, but nothing seemed to really come of it. But now? Now we have photographic evidence.

Above is an image of the backside of a character in Tron 3, or Tron: Ares as it’s being called now. We’re told the image is of Ares himself, and that it’s Jared Leto in the suit. But aren’t the red-colored Programs usually the bad guys? Disney is in the process of filming the movie as we speak.

So what’s Ares’ deal? “Tron: Ares follows a highly sophisticated Program, Ares, who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings,” reads the one-sentence description Disney has made available. There’s nothing here implying he’s sinister…at least not yet. Tron: Legacy hinted at the potential of Programs crossing over into reality, and it looks like Tron: Ares will continue to explore the possibilities of that (plus, we imagine it’s cheaper to shoot in “real” environments).

Other cast members for Tron: Ares inclide Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Hasan Minhaj, Jodie Turner-Smith, Arturo Castro, Cameron Monaghan, and Gillian Anderson (who was confirmed a couple weeks ago). Joachim Rønning is serving as director and the completed film is expected to appear in theaters sometime next year.