Fan Backlash Over 'Tron: Ares' May Have Saved Disney's Project — Here’s Why I Fully Agree
A close call reminded Disney that fans still value real storytelling.
What do you get when a sci-fi film about artificial intelligence tries to use artificial intelligence to make an actual character? In Disney’s case — backlash, and then a hard no.
According to a recent Wall Street Journal report(via Deadline), Disney execs seriously considered incorporating a generative AI character into Tron: Ares — not just thematically, but literally.
The idea? A fully AI-generated sidekick for Jeff Bridges’ Flynn. It was meant to be a buzzy marketing hook: fresh tech for a futuristic film. But somewhere along the line, the suits got spooked by the potential fallout and scrapped the concept altogether.
And honestly? I think they were right to pull the plug — and I'm not alone.
Reddit Is Not Having It
Redditors across the board — especially in the r/movies — have been vocal, skeptical, and pretty blunt:
"Guess the casting director for Tron: Ares missed that memo considering Jared Leto is the lead,"
— The_Swarm22, calling out the inconsistency of trying to avoid controversy while casting one of the most polarising actors in Hollywood.
"My interest deflated so hard when I saw his face pop up in the trailer,"
— Massive_Weiner, not exactly thrilled about Leto headlining a beloved sci-fi legacy.
"At least they recognize the bad publicity around using generative AI,"
— aardw0lf11, acknowledging Disney’s choice to step back — though not without side-eye.
Here’s What I Think
I get the conceptual appeal — after all, Tron has always played with the boundaries between user and program, physical and digital. Having an actual generative AI character could’ve made for a poetic, hyper-meta twist on the franchise.
But the timing? Off. In 2025, AI anxiety is real. Audiences are no longer impressed by deepfake tricks — they’re wary of them. We’re talking about a generation fighting to preserve the authenticity of acting, voice, and story.
Using AI just to make headlines would’ve felt cheap, especially in a series that once prided itself on emotional storytelling beneath the neon dazzle.
So yeah — I’m relieved Disney backtracked.
