Jeff Bridges Will Return For Tron: Ares

When Tron: Ares was first announced, it was described as both a standalone sequel and the next chapter for the franchise. However, the film will apparently have a greater link to the past than previously expected. Jeff Bridges–the star of the original Tron from 1982 and its 2010 sequel, Tron: Legacy–has confirmed that he will appear as Kevin Flynn opposite Jared Leto in Tron: Ares.

Via The Playlist, Bridges made the announcement while appearing on the Film Comment podcast. “I’m heading off this Saturday to play a part in the third installment of the Tron story,” said Bridges. “I’m excited about that. It’s wild. Jared Leto is the star of this third one, and I’m really anxious to work with him, and I’ve admired his work.”

Leto is playing the film’s title character, Ares. But so far, none of the other characters have been revealed. Cameron Monaghan, one of the co-stars of the film, recently praised the sequel’s advancement in visual effects. That was also something that Bridges touched upon, although he noted that Tron: Ares will be leaning into more practical sets than virtual ones.

“[I’m really excited] to see what the technology is going to be all about [this time],” said Bridges. “I hear there’s even less A.I. stuff in this. It’s going to be more a practical set, and they’re beautiful; there are beautiful sets that I’ve seen.”

There is some question as to how Kevin can return for the sequel since the elder Flynn gave his identity disc to his son, Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), and Quorra (Olivia Wilde) to allow her to enter the real world in Tron: Legacy. Kevin stayed behind and was seemingly destroyed alongside his younger doppelganger, Clu.

For now, it’s unknown if any other cast members from Tron or Tron: Legacy will return besides Bridges. The rest of Tron: Ares’ cast includes Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Hasan Minhaj, Jodie Turner-Smith, Arturo Castro, Gillian Anderson, and Sarah Desjardins.

Joachim Rønning is directing Tron: Ares from a script by Jesse Wigutow and Jack Thorne. The film will hit theaters on Friday, October 10.