Credit: Far Out / YouTube Still

Jeff Bridges joins the cast of highly-anticipated movie

Tue 30 April 2024 10:23, UK

Jeff Bridges has confirmed that he will return to the big screen for the third instalment in the Tron franchise. The new addition to the film franchise will be called Tron: Ares.

Bridges is no stranger to the Tron universe, given he starred as the video game developer Kevin Flynn in the original film. He has also reprised the role in the past, appearing in Tron: Legacy. The actor hasn’t provided much information on how big his role will be in the upcoming movie will be but he will “play a part”.

During his appearance on the Film Comment podcast, Bridges expreseds his excitement about re-joining the Tron franchise. He revealed that he “admired” the work of the film’s confirmed star, Jared Leto, and also said he waited with anticipation to “see what the technology is gonna be all about.”

Bridges reflected on the effects used during the filming of Tron: Legacy, saying that the motion capture technology is now “passé.” He went on to say that the third movie which is currently been made will have “even less AI stuff,” and instead will rely on real-life sets that he describes as “beautiful.”

He continued talking about his history with Tron, raising issues with how he looked in Tron: Legacy, claiming the studio went overboard with the visual effects they used on him. “I felt like I looked more like Bill Maher than myself,” he said, “It was kinda bizarre.”

Currently, there’s little in terms of plot or an official release date regarding Tron: Ares. However, fans can expect the movie in 2025 but the release window doesn’t get more specific. Joachim Rønning, who has previously worked on pictures such as Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Talesand Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, will be hitting up directing duties. Leto will also star alongside Greta Lee, Evan Peters and Gillian Anderson.

For Bridges on a personal level, the last few years have come with immense difficulty. He was diagnosed with cancer and, after battling it in 2020, had a particular health scare when he developed Covid-19 during his chemotherapy treatment. He returned to acting in 2022, filming The Old Man, but the new Tron movie marks his first stint on the big screen since 2018.

More details about the plot and an official release date will follow.