Disney reveals first “Tron: Ares” trailer with Jared Leto crossing into reality

Disney’s upcoming film “Tron: Ares” marks a significant expansion of the visually distinctive sci-fi franchise, building on the aesthetic foundation established in previous installments while introducing new elements. The newly released trailer showcases the franchise’s signature neon-lit visual style while teasing a narrative that bridges the digital and physical worlds, featuring Jared Leto as a digital Program that crosses into reality.

The big picture: Disney has released the first trailer for “Tron: Ares,” revealing the dark, moody visuals of the long-awaited sequel to 2010’s “Tron: Legacy,” scheduled for theatrical release on October 10th.

Key details: The trailer opens with Jared Leto’s character Ares, a Program made physical, escaping police on a light cycle in the real world.

• Footage shows a massive airship hovering over a city, dogfights between human aircraft and digital world fighters, and what appears to be Ares receiving his physical form.
• The trailer concludes with original franchise star Jeff Bridges reprising his role as Kevin Flynn, delivering the ominous line: “Ready? There’s no going back.”

Creative direction: Nine Inch Nails has taken over soundtrack duties for the film, providing the musical backdrop to the minute-and-a-half trailer.

• Director Joachim Rønning helms the project, working with a cast that includes Gillian Anderson, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Hasan Minhaj, Jodie Turner-Smith, Arturo Castro, and Cameron Monaghan.

What they’re saying: Leto described his character during a CinemaCon presentation as “a highly advanced program” who enters the real world on a “do-or-die mission to fulfill his directive.”

• The actor playfully promised audiences that the movie “will hit you right in the grid… wherever that is.”