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Tron 3 release date speculation, cast, plot, and more news

Its time to return to the Grid, as Tron: Ares is on the way with Jared Leto. Here's everything we know ahead of the Tron 3 release date.

Tron 3 release date: Everything we know about the new movie, Tron Ares

It’s time to venture back into the virtual world once again, because the Tron 3 release date is heading our way! After a decade of waiting for a continuation of the beloved franchise, our prayers have been answered, and we are returning to the Grid for Tron: Ares.

The Tron movies follow the story of the video game developer Kevin Flynn who is transported into the world of a mainframe computer, showing his struggle to escape via participating in games. For years, fans have been asking for a follow-up to one of the best science fiction movies ever, and now after multiple delays, new movies are officially in the works. Here’s what we know so far.

Tron 3 release date speculation

Tron 3 will release on Friday December 19, 2025 according to internet rumors, but this hasn’t been confirmed by Disney.

Tron 3 was all set to go in front of cameras in 2023, but the 2023 Actors Strike put a spanner in the works. Director Joachim Rønning wrote on his Instagram page:

“Today was supposed to be our first day of principal photography on TRON: ARES (a movie subsequently about AI and what it means, and takes, to be human). Instead, we are shut down with over 150 people laid off. It’s indefinite, which makes it exponentially harder for everyone.”

The strike came to an end in November 2023, and Collider recently reported that filming is set to start in Vancouver, BC, right after the holidays. Obviously, a Tron movie is a VFX-heavy job, but we still think they might still have time to hit that 2025 release date if filming actually does begin in the next couple of months. We’ll keep you updated!

Tron 3 release date: Two riders in the Grid in Tron Legacy

Who’s in the Tron 3 cast?

Jared Leto will lead the Tron 3 cast as Ares, and will be joined by several big names, including Evan Peters and Jodie Turner-Smith. 

Currently, only Jared Leto has a confirmed role in the film, with the rest of his co-stars’ characters being kept under wraps. Leto plays Ares, a computer program that enters the real world. We also know that Greta Lee will play a video game programmer and tech company CEO who wants to protect humanity.

But besides these small details, there is still tons of secrecy around the upcoming film. We are sure more names and faces will pop up soon, so keep your eyes on this guide as the list above grows!

As of now, Jeff Bridges is not confirmed to return as Kevin Flynn. He sacrificed himself at the end of Tron: Legacy, but anything is possible in the best movies within the virtual world. We’d be stunned if he doesn’t appear in the movie in some way, whether that’s in a major role or in a surprise cameo. Here’s hoping, anyway.

Here’s the confirmed Tron 3 cast list: 

  • Jared Leto as Ares
  • Evan Peters as TBC
  • Sarah Desjardins as TBC
  • Cameron Monaghan as TBC
  • Greta Lee as TBC
  • Jodie Turner-Smith as TBC

Tron 3 release date: A human holding Quorra in Tron Legacy

What’s Tron 3 about?

Tron 3 will follow the story of a computer program named Ares, who manages to enter the human world much to humanity’s chagrin.

That’s right; another program is leaving the Grid in the Tron franchise, and Ares’ presence may have some dire consequences for humans and the world in which they live (spicy, we know).

Currently, specific plot details for Tron: Ares are being kept under wraps, but considering how the film’s titular character is named after the Greek God of War, we imagine that Ares and humans won’t be getting along in the upcoming sci-fi flick, so expect to see some drama.

In director Joseph Kosinski’s now-scrapped sequel to Tron Legacy, the director teased an invasion storyline between the two worlds. And while Joachim Rønning is now the director of Tron: Ares, the film’s title does hint that Kosinski’s ideas may have filtered through into the new script. However, this is just speculation until we get more details on the new film’s story.

While a war storyline is still ambiguous, we do know that Tron 3 will be following canon. The shift from the virtual world in Tron 3 lines up with the previous movie in the Disney franchise, Tron: Legacy. In the 2010 film, we saw Quorra break the boundaries between machine and reality as a program became human.

In this sense, Tron: Ares may give us more insight into the dynamics between the Grid and the real world and expand on how the two worlds interact. It’s all very exciting!

Tron 3 release date: a look at the Grid in Tron

Is there a Tron 3 trailer?

There’s no trailer for Tron 3 yet, and there likely won’t be one until 2025. But we’re sure those cutting-edge visuals will be worth the wait once again.

Even if Tron 3 begins filming after the 2023 holidays, but it’ll almost certainly be 2025 before the visual effects team have got enough footage into shape for a teaser to come our way. Until then, though, you can look back at the trailer for Tron: Legacy and check out our guide to the best action movies of all time for more quality picks.

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Where can I watch Tron 3?

You will be able to watch Tron: Ares in theaters once it releases. As mentioned above, rumors are that the film will hit the big screen in December 2025, so speculatively mark your calendars. 

After its release in theaters, Tron 3 will likely head to Disney Plus, like most of the House of Mouse’s releases. Disney Plus also has Tron, Tron: Legacy, and all of the Tron animated series on its platform. So be sure to click our button below to begin your virtual marathon. There’s plenty of time to catch up on everything you’ve missed, or to refresh your memory.

And that’s everything we know about Tron 3 so far. For more Magical Kingdom fun, be sure to check out our guides on the best Disney movies of all time and everything new on Disney Plus this month. You can also visit more virtual worlds with our guide to the Matrix movies in order and find out why a martial arts legend rejected the Matrix because of AI.