The world of Tron has been a rollercoaster ride for fans, with a new sequel, 'Tron: Ares', finally hitting theaters after years of uncertainty. But here's a twist that might surprise you: the new villain setup from 'Tron: Legacy' seems to have been forgotten!
Spoiler Alert! This article delves into the intricate web of Tron's cinematic universe, so proceed with caution if you haven't watched 'Tron: Ares' yet.
For years, fans wondered if a sequel to the 1982 classic 'Tron' would ever materialize. Joseph Kosinski, director of 'Tron: Legacy', almost made it happen in 2015, but Disney unexpectedly canceled the film. With Disney's focus shifting to 'Star Wars' and Marvel, 'Tron' seemed to be on the back burner. However, the script for the third installment, penned by Jesse Wigutow, eventually came to life, and 'Tron: Ares' was born.
The journey to this sequel has been a bumpy one, with many characters and actors left in the dust. Jeff Bridges' Kevin Flynn stands as the lone legacy character in 'Ares', while Garrett Hedlund's Sam Flynn and Olivia Wilde's Quorra are merely hinted at for future appearances. But what about Alan Bradley, played by Bruce Boxleitner, who also portrayed Tron in the first two films? And what of Cillian Murphy's Ed Dillinger Jr., who made a brief but impactful appearance in 'Legacy'?
A Controversial Omission: The absence of Dillinger Jr. is a head-scratcher. He was clearly positioned as a future villain, but in 'Ares', we meet Evan Peters as Julian, the grandson of Ed. It's as if the film wants us to forget about Dillinger Jr. entirely.
In 'Tron: Legacy', Cillian Murphy's presence as Dillinger Jr. was more than just a cameo. It hinted at a deeper, sinister plot, with the implication that the corporate evil of the Dillingers would continue to plague the Tron universe. The special features of 'Tron: Legacy' further teased this, with a short film revealing Dillinger Jr. speaking to a new MCP, voiced by David Warner, who played Dillinger Sr. in the original 'Tron'. This suggested a grand reunion of villains in the proposed 'Tron 3'.
The Plot Thickens: In 'Ares', Julian is transported to the Dillinger Systems grid and encounters a disc that transforms him into a version of Sark, a program controlled by Dillinger Sr. in the first film. This shift in focus from a family rivalry to a corporate one raises questions. Why isn't a Flynn a central character? And what happened to the plans for Dillinger Jr.?
Theories Abound: While 'Tron: Ares' doesn't erase Dillinger Jr. from existence, his absence is notable. Could Cillian Murphy return in a future installment? Early character breakdowns suggested Dillinger Jr. was intended for 'Ares', but plans changed. Perhaps he's secretly working behind the scenes, or maybe he's the ultimate ghost in the machine, seeking to control the entire system.
The fate of Ed Dillinger Jr. remains a mystery, and the Tron-verse seems to have more surprises in store. Will we see the return of this intriguing character? Only time will tell. And this is the part most fans are eagerly waiting for!
What do you think happened to Ed Dillinger Jr.? Share your theories in the comments, and let's discuss the future of the Tron franchise!
