Films

Is ‘Tron: Ares’ a Sequel or a Reboot? What to Know Before It Arrives

With the premiere just days away, here’s a quick look at the story and setup.

October 07, 2025 12:45PM EDT

After over a decade of anticipation, the beloved science-fiction franchise is back with a new installment: “Tron: Ares.” Starring Jared Leto in the title role, the film takes the series in a fresh direction, with a story centered on a highly advanced program from the Grid entering the real world.

Fans are excited to return to the iconic digital universe, but the long wait and the new creative approach have sparked a key question: Is this a true continuation of the story we know, or a fresh start for a new generation?

Is ‘Tron: Ares’ a Follow-Up or a Fresh Take?

The answer, as it turns out, is a bit of both. Disney has billed the film as a “soft reboot” or “follow-up,” a classification that aims to honor the established lore while forging a new narrative path. It’s an approach that keeps the foundational elements of the “Tron” world intact—the iconic digital Grid, the light cycles, and the glowing Identity Discs—while introducing a fresh conflict and a new cast of characters.

Directed by Joachim Rønning, “Tron: Ares” is technically a sequel to 2010’s “Tron: Legacy,” picking up the story where the previous film left off. However, the picture differentiates itself by flipping the core premise on its head. While the original films saw humans entering the digital world, “Ares” explores the profound consequences when a highly sophisticated program, played by Jared Leto, crosses over from the Grid into our reality.

While the new title introduces a fresh ensemble led by Leto, Greta Lee, and Evan Peters, it maintains a critical connection to its predecessors. The most significant link is the return of Jeff Bridges, who reprises his role as Kevin Flynn, the legendary architect of the Grid. His presence alone signals that the events of the previous entries have not been erased, but rather serve as the foundation for this new story.

This balance between old and new is designed to appeal to both long-time aficionados who appreciate the lore and a new audience encountering the franchise for the first time. The picture aims to be an evolution of the series, rather than a total erasure of its legacy.

Clara Migliardo

Clara is about to graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Writing Arts at the National University of Arts in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In her role as a writer for Spoiler US, she covers movies, TV shows, streaming platforms, celebrities, and other topics of entertainment and general interest. Since 2021, she has been working as a film critic for Bendito Spoiler, Cinema Saturno, and Peliplat, attending festivals, conducting interviews, and regularly participating in cinematic debate podcasts. Her main focus of work is in the horror genre.