Key Takeaways:
– Director Joseph Kosinski blamed Disney, not the audience or the cast, for delaying the Tron: Legacy sequel.
– Kosinski felt that the acquisition of Marvel and Star Wars diverted Disney’s attention from smaller, creativity-centered projects.
– Despite the delay, fans are excited for the upcoming release of Tron: Ares on 11 October 2025.
Behind the Delayed Sequel of Tron: Legacy
Fans of the science fiction hit Tron: Legacy had to wait a lengthy 14 years from the sequel’s initial release for another instalment. Many wondered what was holding back the much-anticipated sequel to the movie that had surpassed its predecessor Tron in popularity. Unexpectedly, Tron: Legacy’s director, Joseph Kosinski, gave an intriguing explanation in a recent conversation.
Disney Caused the Sequel Delay
In an interview with Vulture, Kosinski spilled the beans on why the wheels of the sequel took so long to start spinning. Instead of attributing the delay to poor audience reception or cast availability, the director laid the blame primarily on Disney. He revealed how tenaciously he tried to convince them to sign off on another movie. However, during the production of the 2010 film, the studio landscape was significantly different.
Back in 2010, Disney was not yet home to the behemoths of the Star Wars franchise or the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They had more bandwidth to focus on smaller, more innovative projects. Making a sequel to a thirty-year-old film like Tron was smooth sailing then, explained Kosinski. But by 2015, the tide had changed.
Disney Distracted by Marvel and Star Wars
As Kosinski sought Disney’s approval for the third instalment of Tron, the studio’s perspective had shifted dramatically. Handling mega franchises worth billions is no easy task. Disney’s focus on managing the bright lights of Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe relegated smaller films to the sidelines.
As they juggled these heavyweights, Disney became wary of risk-taking. The studio decided to play safe and invest in proven winners, according to Kosinski. The director drew a bleak yet poignant picture of Tron as the neglected art student with black fingernails sitting forgotten in the corner. Disappointingly for fans, Tron became a casualty of the new Disney environment.
A Silver Lining in the Tale
Despite this setback, Kosinski didn’t appear bitter or resentful. He seemed to understand Disney’s viewpoint and stated frankly that he would have made the same decision if he had been in their shoes. However, this revelation doesn’t mean that Tron’s story has ended. Fans were eventually rewarded for their patience, with plans for Tron: Ares to hit theaters on 11 October 2025.
So, while it’s had its fair share of delays, the Tron saga is set to continue with Jared Leto in the lead. Meanwhile, fans can revisit Tron and Tron: Legacy on Disney+, readying themselves for the next chapter of this iconic franchise. The story of Tron’s journey serves as a reminder of the corporate considerations behind the scenes that play a decisive role in the making, and delaying, of our favourite films.
