Back in 1982, Steven Lisberger gave us Tron, a groundbreaking film that fully explored what a digital world could be, even before the Metaverse or AI was fully fleshed out. However, this swing was a box office failure for Disney.
The budget of $20 million only made $33 million, while at the same time, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial made $797.3 million worldwide and $439.5 million domestically. However, Tron did get a cult following to warrant a sequel, Tron Legacy (2010), and an animated show, Tron Uprising (2012).
Now, with Tron: Ares (2025) underperforming, it means fewer Tron movies going to the big screen. As a Tron fan, I really wonder why this groundbreaking series never really found its feet, and as a result, the franchise comes across as Disney’s odd one out.
Looking back on Tron, its groundbreaking aspect was the use of CGI. Now, it wasn’t the first film to use it, actually, Hitchcock used it in the opening credits of Vertigo (1958); however, where Tron stood out was in how extensively it was used in a full sequence that was 15 minutes long. Now you would go, “that’s nothing,” but in the 80s, it was unprecedented.
Even with the grid, this cyberspace is full of AI that looks human and feels human emotions. It wasn’t just with the practical aspects, but the ideas within the film as well.
Steven Lisberger, the creator of Tron, talked about how those within Disney at the time thought this could be the next Star Wars. Making those comparisons now, this wasn’t the first time Disney wanted their own Star Wars—look at The Black Hole (1979). After the first film was more of a swing and a miss on becoming the next Star Wars, it seemed like Disney just wanted to leave it.
Even when you get to Tron Legacy, which was a moderate success, Joseph Kosinski planned a follow-up with Tron Ascension in 2015. After being stuck in development hell, it eventually morphed into Ares.
But within this period, Disney had two massive sci-fi failures: John Carter (2012) and Tomorrowland (2015). They also bought Lucasfilm in 2012, which meant Star Wars was finally theirs.
After two originals failing, what’s the point of trying to launch a new series when, next to the MCU, you have all of Star Wars on paper? You have characters and stories people already trust, so why try to launch something new?
Those elements mixed really were the final nail in the coffin for Tron as a series. As a result, it makes Ares feel like a last roll of the dice, with no confidence, even in the roll itself.
Going forward, Tron taking a break wouldn’t be a bad idea. Instead, Disney should consider looking at the small screen, going back to Tron Uprising, either as a continuation or another animated show set within the grid. It could still have that sense of exploration and pushing technology through animation, honoring the roots of Tron.
Ultimately, Tron as a series has never really started because after taking a few half-hearted swings, Disney didn’t need to waste energy when they have safe bets in the library.
Essay Courtesy of Matthew Allan
Feature Image Credit to Walt Disney Studios