Top Gun: Maverick Filmmaker Distances Himself From Tron: Ares Failure

Joseph Kosinski, the creative force behind Top Gun: Maverick and the director who launched his career with Tron: Legacy, has spoken out about Disney ’s latest sci-fi release, Tron: Ares. Although Ares is officially the third entry in the Tron saga, Kosinski has made it clear that this new installment doesn’t reflect the continuation he once imagined. In a recent interview, he explained that while the film borrows some visual elements from his previously scrapped project, Tron: Ascension, the story has shifted so dramatically that it stands apart from his original vision.

Director’s Vision vs. Studio Direction

During his conversation with Empire Magazine, Kosinski shared that Tron: Ares should be viewed as a parallel narrative rather than a direct follow-up to Tron: Legacy. He noted that the new film incorporates certain set pieces and design ideas from Ascension, but the plot has been completely reworked, offering a fresh perspective that diverges from the path he set in 2010.

I don’t really see it as a sequel. This definitely used elements of a movie I worked on, called ‘Tron: Ascension’, in terms of maybe some of the set pieces and visuals, but it really inverted the story and told it from a completely different point of view. So, I see it more like a parallel story as opposed to a sequel. But I’m thrilled that what Steve Lisberger created in 1982 still resonates today.

Despite being listed as an executive producer on Tron: Ares, Kosinski had no involvement in the script or creative process. The film, directed by Joachim Rønning and starring Jared Leto, struggled at the box office, grossing $142 million against a $180 million budget, making it one of the year’s most notable disappointments.

Kosinski’s Abandoned Sequel and Missed Opportunities

Kosinski’s reluctance to embrace Ares as a true sequel stems from his own plans for the franchise, which were shelved after Disney shifted its focus to Marvel and Star Wars properties. Back in 2010, Tron: Legacy earned $399 million worldwide on a $200 million budget, a performance that was seen as underwhelming at the time. However, in light of Ares’ poor showing, Legacy’s box office now seems far more respectable.

Years after Legacy’s release, Kosinski revealed details about his intended sequel, Tron: Ascension. He envisioned a story that would begin in the real world, transition into the digital universe, and ultimately return to reality, exploring the idea of programs crossing over and blurring the line between humans and machines.

What I’m excited about is the concept, which is an invasion movie from inside the machine coming out, as opposed to one we’ve usually seen. We hinted at that at the end of ‘Legacy’ […], but the idea for ‘Ascension’ was a movie that was, the first act was in the real world, the second act was in the world of Tron, or multiple worlds of Tron, and the third act was totally in the real world.

This approach would have provided a natural evolution for the franchise, building on the foundation laid in Legacy and expanding the universe in bold new directions.

Why Kosinski’s Vision Mattered

Given his deep understanding of the Tron universe, some fans believe that Kosinski was the right person to guide the series forward. His work on Legacy modernized the franchise while honoring its roots, a balance that Ares struggled to achieve after shifting focus to a new protagonist and storyline.

Kosinski’s recent successes, including his work on Top Gun: Maverick and the upcoming F1 film, highlight his ability to revive and expand beloved properties. Many now wonder if Disney missed an opportunity by not allowing him to realize his vision for Tron 3, which might have steered the franchise away from its latest setback.

Tron: Ares, directed by Joachim Rønning and featuring a cast led by Jared Leto, is currently available for purchase or rental on Prime Video.