Early development of the upcoming film Tron: Ares briefly suggested Cillian Murphy would return as Sark, a familiar character from the Tron universe, according to newly revealed concept art. However, despite these initial plans, Murphy ultimately did not reprise his part, reshaping the long-anticipated sequel’s cast and storyline. The changes reflect different creative choices as the movie progresses.
Concept Art Hints at Murphy’s Return as Sark
Phil Saunders, a film concept artist, shared on ArtStation that he was commissioned to design an image of Murphy portraying a reimagined Sark. The request came from production designer Darren Gilford, who wanted a rapid sketch showcasing Murphy as Sark, perhaps in an effort to persuade the actor to return as Edward Dillinger Jr., the character he played in Tron: Legacy. These early visuals, however, did not translate into Murphy’s actual involvement in the project.
New Characters and Plot Dynamics in Tron: Ares
Instead of featuring Murphy facing off against Jared Leto’s character Ares, the film introduces a new protagonist, Julian Dillinger, played by Evan Peters. Julian is now the CEO of Dillinger Systems, and he learns that Eve Kim, portrayed by Greta Lee, has obtained the permanence code belonging to Kevin Flynn, a critical element in the Tron narrative. To retrieve this code, Julian deploys two combat programs, Ares and Athena—the latter played by Jodie Turner-Smith—setting the stage for the movie’s central conflict.
Critics Highlight Simplified Story and Stylish Presentation
Reviews like that from Collider recognize Tron: Ares for streamlining the complex Tron mythology into a clearer, more focused story. The film delivers striking visual effects and a compelling soundtrack while avoiding overly complicated plotlines. Ross Bonaime praised the move toward simplicity as a positive change, making the film more accessible and entertaining without sacrificing the franchise’s trademark aesthetic.
“Tron: Ares isn’t likely to turn Tron into the major franchise Disney has clearly wanted it to be for decades, but it is a sign that the company has a smarter understanding of what these movies need to be: exciting to look at, with a great soundtrack, and with a story that’s dumb fun. Tron: Ares not only achieves that, but finds fun ways to fit in the other installments that make you actually want to see more installments in this world, as opposed to having them forced upon us. Tron: Ares isn’t a killer app, but it is a solid upgrade.” ?Ross Bonaime, Film Critic
Availability and Cast of Tron: Ares
Tron: Ares is currently available for streaming on Disney+. The cast features Jared Leto as the rogue AI Ares and Greta Lee as Eve Kim, whose character drives much of the film’s plot by possessing Kevin Flynn’s code. Alongside them, Jodie Turner-Smith plays Athena, one of the combat programs central to the story’s conflict. Evan Peters leads as Julian Dillinger, bringing a fresh face to the franchise’s evolving narrative.
