So, it finally happened. After nearly fifteen years of "will they, won't they" development hell, we actually got a third Tron movie. But if you’ve been scrolling through Letterboxd or Reddit lately, you’ve probably noticed that the conversation around the cast of the new Tron is, well, a little spicy.
People are divided. Honestly, that’s an understatement. When Disney announced that Tron: Ares wouldn't just be a direct continuation of Sam Flynn’s story from Legacy, but a total pivot toward a new AI-centric narrative, the internet basically had a collective meltdown. We’re in 2026 now, and looking back at the theatrical run that started in October 2025, the casting choices are arguably the most talked-about part of the whole production.
Jared Leto is Ares (and Yes, He Went Full Method)
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Jared Leto.
He plays Ares, a "Master Control Program" (MCP) designed to be an expendable digital soldier. Director Joachim Rønning has been pretty open about the fact that Leto stayed in character throughout the shoot. Apparently, people on set were literally addressing him as "Ares" or "The General."
👉 See also: The Entire History of You: What Most People Get Wrong About the Grain
Look, Leto is a polarizing guy. Some people love his dedication; others find it a bit much. In the film, he plays Ares with this flat, almost eerie naivety. He’s a program trying to understand what it means to be human while simultaneously being a walking weapon that can slice police cars in half with a lightcycle. It’s a weird vibe, but it works for a character who is essentially a sentient piece of malware in a meat suit.
The New Faces of ENCOM and Dillinger
One of the biggest surprises for long-time fans was how much the corporate landscape of the Tron universe changed. We aren't just hanging out in Flynn’s arcade anymore.
Greta Lee as Eve Kim If you loved her in Past Lives, you’ll see a completely different side of her here. She plays the CEO of ENCOM, Eve Kim. She’s the one who discovers the "Permanence Code"—the secret sauce that allows digital constructs to stay in the real world indefinitely. Her performance is the emotional anchor of the movie, especially as she deals with the legacy of her deceased sister, Tess.
✨ Don't miss: Shamea Morton and the Real Housewives of Atlanta: What Really Happened to Her Peach
Evan Peters as Julian Dillinger This was a casting masterstroke. Evan Peters plays Julian Dillinger, the grandson of the original film's villain, Ed Dillinger. He’s the head of Dillinger Systems and is essentially the guy who "parents" Ares. Peters plays him as this dangerously ambitious, slightly unhinged tech mogul. He’s the kind of guy who will delete a sentient program just to prove a point to a room full of investors.
The Supporting Squad
- Gillian Anderson (Elisabeth Dillinger): She plays Julian’s mother. It’s a bit of a "full circle" moment for her because she’s mentioned in interviews that the original 1982 Tron was part of what inspired her to take her iconic X-Files role.
- Jodie Turner-Smith (Athena): She’s the second-in-command program to Ares. She brings a ton of physicality to the role, though some fans felt her character deserved more screen time.
- Hasan Minhaj (Ajay Singh): Eve Kim’s business partner. He provides most of the grounded, "human" perspective while everyone else is busy fighting digital wars.
- Cameron Monaghan (Caius): This was the biggest letdown for some. Monaghan is a fan favorite, and despite the hype, his role as a combat program named Caius was essentially a glorified cameo.
The Jeff Bridges Factor
The biggest question everyone had leading up to the release was: "Where is Kevin Flynn?"
Disney kept it under wraps for a long time, but Jeff Bridges did return. He’s the only original cast member to come back. No Garrett Hedlund, no Olivia Wilde, and—shockingly—no Bruce Boxleitner.
🔗 Read more: Who is Really in the Enola Holmes 2 Cast? A Look at the Faces Behind the Mystery
Bridges plays a digital construct of Kevin Flynn living within his original grid. It’s a bittersweet performance. He acts as a sort of mentor to Ares, expressing a weirdly touching surprise at the AI’s desire to become "real." However, the fact that he’s the only legacy character left led to some backlash. Director Rønning defended the choice, saying they didn't want the movie to be a "parade of cameos" and wanted to take the story in a new direction.
Why the Lineup Caused a Stir
The cast of the new Tron represents a massive shift in how Disney views the franchise. Tron: Legacy was a cult classic because of its vibe, its Daft Punk score, and the Flynn family drama. Ares feels more like a modern sci-fi thriller about the dangers of AI.
The box office reflected this tension. With a budget somewhere between $180 million and $220 million, the film struggled to hit its marks, grossing around $142 million. Critics were mixed. Some praised the high-concept AI themes (scored by Nine Inch Nails, which was a vibe), while others missed the neon-soaked nostalgia of the previous films.
What You Should Know Before Watching
If you're planning to catch this on streaming now that the theatrical run is winding down, keep these things in mind:
- It's a "Soft Reboot": Don't expect answers to the cliffhangers from Tron: Legacy. This is very much its own thing.
- The Tone is Darker: This isn't a bright, poppy adventure. It’s heavy on the "industrial" feel, both in visuals and music.
- The "Deletion" Shift: They changed the terminology. Programs aren't "deresolved" anymore; they're "deleted." It’s a small change that reflects the more modern, aggressive take on technology.
To get the most out of the new era of Tron, start by revisiting the 1982 original to understand the Dillinger family history. It makes Evan Peters' performance a lot more impactful when you realize the generational weight his character is carrying. After that, look for the Tron: Ares making-of featurettes on Disney+; the practical effects they used for the real-world lightcycle chases are actually insane and worth a watch on their own.