If you were underwhelmed by San Diego Comic-Con this year, then Disney’s D3 Expo provided your fix. In a massive three-hour presentation last night in Anaheim, California, Disney brought down the house with an enormous presentation of Marvel Studios projects, Lucasfilm series and movie updates, plenty of Pixar announcements, and many Disney and 20th Century Studios films. One of the last presentations that seemed to blow the roof off the event was “Tron: Ares,” starring Jared Leto.
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To be honest, the music of the film might have been the most thrilling update. Disney revealed last night that Nine Inch Nails would be proving the score, and a new trailer for audiences featured distinctly NIN music that was typically bruising and fiery but also with plenty of haunting melodies.
Nine Inch Nails, the group providing the music, is somewhat unusual. While two-time Oscar winners Trent Reznor and NIN member Atticus Ross score plenty of films (“The Social Network,” “Soul”) with their propulsive and dark music, they are rarely billed as Nine Inch Nails. In truth, it’s probably all one and the same, but perhaps the touring musicians in the group will be included to feature a more rock-heavy sound.
“Tron: Ares” stars Jeff Bridges, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, and Jared Leto. Their appearance on the D23 stage to showcase the new trailer garnered huge applause from the audience. Leto, who portrays Ares, hit the stage alongside an iconic Lightcycle.
Cast members shared details about their characters as well as an in-room-only early trailer alert. Following a musical sonic assault, lasers burned into the screens, which parted to reveal “music by NINE INCH NAILS.”
Here’s a short synopsis Disney provided that teases a plot around A.I. and takes the Tron characters out of the grid and onto Earth for the first time.
“TRON: Ares” follows a highly sophisticated Program, Ares, who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings.
“Tron: Ares” is directed by Joachim Rønning. Producers are Sean Bailey, Jeffrey Silver, Justin Springer, Leto, Emma Ludbrook, and Steven Lisberger. The film is slated for theatrical release on Oct. 10, 2025. Watch some of the onstage clips below.
Tron Ares will be composed by Nine Inch Nails #TronAres #D23Event pic.twitter.com/ljeLsuNUIk
— The Playlist (@ThePlaylistNews) August 10, 2024
Jeff Bridges says he’s just a small part of Tron Ares. Jared Leto, Evan Peters and Greta Lee talk about their characters #TronAres #D23Event pic.twitter.com/Qu7kDO9app
— The Playlist (@ThePlaylistNews) August 10, 2024
Just announced on the #D23 Stage: TRON: Ares music will be brought to you by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of NIN 🎵 pic.twitter.com/A7yRLwslki
— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) August 10, 2024