It’s been a long, winding road for the Tron franchise, but this weekend, Disney has finally released Tron: Ares in theaters, marking a return to a world that’s dazzled audiences for over four decades. Yet, for die-hard fans and newcomers alike, the latest entry in this digital saga raises as many questions as it answers—especially about the fate of some familiar faces and the direction the franchise is heading.
When Tron: Legacy premiered back in 2010, it was hailed as a visual and auditory spectacle. According to a review published by TweakTown, the film was “one of the most awe-inspiring, entertaining, and immersive cinema experiences” ever enjoyed, with a barnstorming Daft Punk score and groundbreaking visual effects that stood out even 15 years later. The 2025 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release only sharpened those strengths, boasting “excellent HDR highlights” and Dolby Vision, though the newly remixed Dolby Atmos soundtrack was noted for not going as far as it could have in utilizing height surround effects. Still, the reviewer was “fascinated to see where this oddball would-be franchise goes next.”
But the journey to Tron: Ares was anything but straightforward. After Legacy hit theaters, Disney’s focus shifted toward its newly acquired Marvel and Star Wars universes, shelving plans for a direct sequel despite the groundwork laid in both the film and its home media supplements. As reported by /Film, director Joseph Kosinski came close to launching a third film in 2015, but the studio’s shifting priorities left fans waiting in limbo. It wasn’t until writer Jesse Wigutow’s script gained traction that the franchise was revived, leading to this weekend’s long-awaited release.
With Tron: Ares now lighting up screens, audiences are noticing some significant changes in the story’s legacy. Jeff Bridges reprises his iconic role as Kevin Flynn—the only legacy character to physically appear in the film. Meanwhile, the movie drops hints about the whereabouts of Garrett Hedlund’s Sam Flynn and Olivia Wilde’s Quorra, suggesting their stories may continue in future installments. Yet, conspicuously absent is Bruce Boxleitner’s Alan Bradley, who also portrayed the titular Tron in the first two films. For fans, a Tron movie without Tron himself feels like a glaring omission, but it’s another character’s absence that’s left general audiences scratching their heads.
Cillian Murphy’s Ed Dillinger Jr., introduced in Tron: Legacy as the son of the original film’s villain, was intended as a setup for future conflict. His brief but memorable appearance seemed to signal a new era of antagonism, especially with the legacy of David Warner’s Dillinger Sr. looming large. As /Film points out, Murphy “is not known for doing cameos as a lark,” and the special features on the Tron: Legacy Blu-ray—particularly the short film “Tron: The Next Day”—further hinted at his character’s involvement with a new Master Control Program, voiced by Warner himself. The implication? The Dillinger family’s corporate machinations were far from over.
Yet, in Tron: Ares, Ed Dillinger Jr. is nowhere to be seen or even mentioned. Instead, the antagonist role is filled by Julian, played by Evan Peters, who is the grandson of Ed Dillinger Sr. The film also introduces Elisabeth, Dillinger’s daughter, portrayed by Gillian Anderson. The mid-credits scene takes things a step further, showing Julian transported to the Dillinger Systems grid, where a mysterious disc appears to transform him into a new version of Sark—the program originally played by Warner. This shift in focus from the Flynns versus the Dillingers to a rivalry between two corporations, ENCOM and Dillinger Systems, is a notable departure from the more emotionally charged family drama that fans might have expected.
So, why the change? According to /Film, early character breakdowns for Ares did include Ed Dillinger Jr., but those plans were ultimately scrapped. The film doesn’t recast or explicitly retcon the character, leaving the door open for Murphy’s potential return in a future installment. With Julian and Elisabeth now at the center of the action, Junior’s absence doesn’t create a glaring plot hole, but it does leave fans speculating about his fate. Could he be off on a secret mission, perhaps even working against his family’s legacy from within ENCOM? The movie’s themes of hidden agendas and secret codes—like new COO Eve Kim’s search for her late sister’s work on Flynn’s Permanence Code—suggest that anything is possible in the digital world of the Grid.
This isn’t the first time the franchise has left threads dangling. The “Flynn Lives” viral campaign and the “Tron: The Next Day” short film both played a role in keeping fan interest alive during the long wait between movies. The 4K Blu-ray release of Tron: Legacy preserves these extras, though, as TweakTown laments, “there’s no new bonus features to be found on the 4K here (not even a trailer for the upcoming Tron: Ares), which is frankly a disappointment.” Still, the inclusion of the original 2011 Blu-ray’s supplements provides a window into the franchise’s ambitions and the possibilities that remain unexplored.
As for the technical side, the 4K release of Tron: Legacy is a treat for home theater enthusiasts. The Rec. 2020 color space, dynamic Dolby Vision, and static HDR-10 formats make the film “an eye-meltingly good presentation that is going to please many,” according to TweakTown. The reviewer singles out Daft Punk’s score for special praise, noting, “their music elevates everything, perfectly complementing the eye-popping visuals for a pure synesthesia experience.” While the Dolby Atmos mix doesn’t fully deliver on its promise of immersive sound, the overall package is still considered a worthy upgrade for fans.
With Tron: Ares finally in theaters, Disney appears to be testing the waters for the franchise’s future. The film’s willingness to introduce new characters while leaving the fate of others unresolved suggests that the digital frontier of the Grid remains wide open for further exploration. Whether Cillian Murphy’s Ed Dillinger Jr. will return, or if the series will continue to pivot toward new faces and conflicts, only time—and perhaps another decade—will tell.
For now, audiences can revel in the neon-lit spectacle of Tron: Ares and the enduring legacy of a franchise that refuses to fade into digital oblivion.
