In the new Tron: Ares movie, lead actor Jared Leto plays the role of Ares - a computer program which has amalgamated itself into a flesh-and-bone construct, capable of bridging the gap between The Grid and the real world.
Is Ares the bad guy in Tron: Ares?
The short answer is – yes, kind of. Ares is essentially a computer program that longs to be a living entity. Described and compared to the character of Pinocchio, director Joachim Rønning revealed in a recent interview with Empire Magazine that Ares just wants to be a real boy:
As a piece of coding-turned-flesh, he has a unique perspective on the world. “We talked a lot about him almost being an infant, discovering the world for the first time, and how we wanted the audience to see the world through his eyes,” – Empire Magazine
While Jared Leto's character is the film's primary antagonist, he's not inherently evil. The character will act as a vector of exploring what it means to be Human, from the perspective of a computer program.
Is there room for redemption or at least a peaceful alignment between both digital and physical realms within Ares? We'll find out when the next Tron film slices its way into theaters this October!
Tron: Ares is the third film in the iconic sci-fi movie franchise. Directed by Joachim Rønning and starring Jared Leto, the latest Tron movie has an official theatrical release date of October 10th, 2025!
