As Disney gears up for the production of Tron 3, also known as Tron: Ares, the creator of the Tron universe, Steven Lisberger, has given his blessing to the project. Lisberger recently appeared on The Hollywood Reporter’s It Happened in Hollywood podcast, where he revealed that he has taken on the role of an adviser to the next generation of Tron filmmakers. He compared his advisory role to that of Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars, aiming to provide impactful advice without getting too involved in the filmmaking process.
Lisberger spoke about his own experience seeking advice when he made the original Tron film in 1982. He recalled showing a storyboard movie to one of Disney’s Nine Old Men, hoping to receive mentorship. However, the elder animator simply said, “Kid — you’re on your own,” before walking out of the room. Lisberger now aims to provide useful guidance to the Tron 3 team, offering concise and impactful sentences to assist them in their filmmaking journey.
The original Tron film was not initially well-received, grossing only $4 million on its opening weekend and $33 million domestically on a $20 million budget. Lisberger attributes this muted reception to the film being ahead of its time. While Star Wars was nostalgic, Tron was avant-garde and didn’t resonate with audiences at the time. Additionally, Tron faced tough competition from E.T., a more emotionally appealing film. However, as time has passed, Tron has gained a cult following and is recognized for its significance in the science-fiction genre.
Lisberger believes that Tron was ahead of its time in exploring concepts like computer security and artificial intelligence. At the time of the film’s release in the early ’80s, computers were not as widely accepted as they are today. Lisberger mentioned that there was backlash against computers during that era, and even Steve Jobs had not yet reached the level of success that he would later achieve. Lisberger believes that Tron’s exploration of networking and the internet, based on the ARPANET, the precursor to the internet, was visionary.
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The upcoming Tron: Ares will be directed by Joachim Rønning, known for his work on Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. The film is set to start filming in Vancouver in August.
For more insights into the making of Tron, you can listen to the full episode of It Happened in Hollywood. The podcast delves into the history of Hollywood, providing deep dives into various aspects of the industry and its iconic films.
In conclusion, as Tron 3 enters production, Steven Lisberger, the creator of the Tron universe, has offered his guidance and support to the next generation of Tron filmmakers. Lisberger believes that Tron was ahead of its time and hopes that the upcoming film will continue to push boundaries and resonate with audiences. With the leadership of Joachim Rønning, Tron: Ares is poised to continue the legacy of the Tron franchise and further explore the intersection of technology and humanity.
