Tron: Ares is not a direct sequel to Tron: Legacy for Joseph Kosinski

The American director of Tron: Legacy considers that the film Tron: Ares is not a direct continuation of his own story. He underlines an important distinction between his work and this new cinematographic project from the Tron universe.

A contested return to the Tron universe

Last summer, the public rediscovered the digital universe of Tron with the release of Tron: Ares. Many saw it as a logical continuation of Tron: Legacybut the reality is quite different. Asked by Empire Magazinethe emblematic director of the second part, Joseph Kosinskiaffirms that he does not consider this new episode as a direct extension. According to him, even if certain script and visual elements recall his own work on an abandoned project called Tron: Ascensionit is more of a parallel story: “ It’s not really a sequel. Ideas I had considered for Ascension were reused, but the narrative was completely reversed. We tell a different story here, from another point of view. »

From shadow to light

Credited only as executive producer on Tron: AresJoseph Kosinski did not participate in the writing of the screenplay. His initial vision for the franchise was, however, based on a new concept: an “invasion film from inside the machine”, where the action would gradually move from the real world to that of the programs, before a final return to our reality. But between creative disagreements and changes of direction at Disneythis track will never see the light of day.

With hindsight, it is difficult not to question this strategic choice. Because if when it was released in 2010, Tron: Legacy had disappointed with 400 million dollars for a substantial budget (170 million) and mixed reviews, it now enjoys a certain renewal of affection among fans.

Ares’ resounding failure and lingering regrets

Despite the ambitions displayed by the studio – and the noted presence of Jared Letoembodying the sophisticated program Tron: Ares sent into the real world — the commercial result proved catastrophic: less than 142 million dollars collected worldwide for a budget exceeding 200 million. In the background therefore lies this nagging question: what would have been a version supervised until the end by Joseph Kosinski, today a leading filmmaker in Hollywood after the immense success of the blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick and F1 ?

The Tron universe remains in limbo

Faced with the flop of Tron: Aresdifficult to imagine today a new foray into this cult universe – at least under the current leadership of Disney. Even if regrets are palpable among certain admirers, Joseph Kosinski prefers to turn the page towards more promising horizons.