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SAN DIEGO – Comic-Con was abuzz on Friday as the spotlight turned to the Grid, with the stars of the upcoming “Tron: Ares” movie present to showcase exclusive footage and delve into the narrative of the franchise’s third installment.
Featuring Jared Leto, Jeff Bridges, Greta Lee, and Jodie Turner-Smith, the film explores how the virtual domain of the Grid, complete with its iconic light bikes, intersects with reality.
Disney treated audiences to several minutes of footage, highlighting a thrilling light bike chase scene unfolding in both the real world and the vibrantly red-hued Grid, all set to an energetic Nine Inch Nails soundtrack.
“It’s fun to see it on the big screen for the first time,” said director Joachim Rønning.
Disney turned the Hall H panel into a spectacle, with red lasers filling the room and characters in suits with red lights entering the massive hall.
Asked what excited her about joining the “Tron” franchise, Lee responded: “I just wanted to ride a light cycle.”
Friday’s panel ended with the premiere of the music video for “As Alive as You Need Me to Be,” the first Nine Inch Nails song from the soundtrack.
“Tron” has never been in the top tier of sci-fi franchises. The original 1982 film starring Bridges as Kevin Flynn, a man sucked into a computer vortex known as the Grid, was admired for its ground-breaking concept and effects, and was a modest hit with moderately good reviews.
Perhaps more importantly, it won a cult following and has been maintained enough in cultural memory to remain a valuable property for Disney.
The 2010 film “Tron: Legacy,” starring Bridges and Garrett Hedlund, made more than $400 million globally. A TV show that followed, “Tron: Uprising,” lasted just one season.
Norwegian director Joachim Rønning has helmed other Disney franchise films: 2017’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” and 2019’s “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.”
Leto and Bridges are both Oscar winners, and Rønning is an Oscar nominee. ___
AP Entertainment Writer Andrew Dalton contributed to this report.
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