Tron: Ares Director Explores the Human Cost in a Vibrant Virtual World

Some fans of the Tron series felt a jolt of surprise when the announcement dropped that Nine Inch Nails would be scoring the soundtrack for Tron: Ares. However, the film’s director assures that the iconic band is indeed a perfect match, given the movie’s “industrial” vibe.

It came out in August that Nine Inch Nails, a band that might not be the first to come to mind for a Tron film, would be crafting the music for this new installment. This was quite the twist, especially since the last movie, Tron: Legacy, had its soundtrack brilliantly composed by the electronic duo Daft Punk—a soundtrack that, arguably, overshadowed the movie itself. During a chat with Empire, director Joachim Rønning took the time to elaborate on this creative direction. He mentioned that, with Nine Inch Nails on board, the upcoming movie promises to deliver something “a bit grittier, a little bit more industrial.”

Rønning further explained, “For me, it was crucial to draw a clear contrast between The Grid and the real world. In this regard, Nine Inch Nails perfectly complements the new Tron universe we’re shaping.” Unlike its predecessors, Tron: Ares shifts its primary focus onto the real world instead of the digital realm known as The Grid. With this shift, the choice of music seems to align more closely, though it remains to be seen how the film will portray our world.

Despite the transition from the digital landscapes to real-world settings, Rønning emphasized that the heart of the film remains grounded. “What I continuously seek in a story is a robust emotional foundation. This movie will likely surprise audiences with its emotional depth. It’s fundamentally about the human experience and the cost that comes with it.” This statement resonates strongly given the increasing presence of AI in today’s world, though it’s somewhat amusing considering the film still features characters from a digital universe engaging in flashy, frisbee-like antics.

Fans can mark their calendars as Tron: Ares is slated for a cinematic release on October 10, 2025.