Summary

• Jeff Bridges confirms that he is set to complete filming for Tron: Ares, the third installment in the franchise.
• Bridges expresses excitement about working with Jared Leto, the film's star.
• It's unclear in what capacity Bridges will be returning given Kevin Flynn's apparent fate in Tron: Legacy.

Tron: Ares gains a new legacy cast member, with Jeff Bridges confirming his return. After the first film in 1982 became a cult classic, the world of Tron returned in 2010 under director Joseph Kosinski. Now, director Joachim Rønning is taking the franchise's reins for Tron: Ares, a new installment starring Jared Leto that chronicles the journey of the Ares computer program as it attempts to leave its digital world. Bridges reprised his role as Kevin Flynn for the 2010 sequel, but it was unclear until now whether he would be coming back for the new movie.

During a recent interview on the Tron: Ares. Walt Disney Studios subsequently released a new image of Bridges on set with a script, confirming the news with the caption: "Jeff Bridges returns to the Grid." Check out Bridges' comment and Disney's tweet below:

“I’m heading off this Saturday to play a part in the third installment of the ‘Tron’ story; I’m excited about that. It’s wild. Jared Leto is the star of this third one, and I’m really anxious to work with him, and I’ve ired his work. [I’m really excited] to see what the technology is going to be all about [this time]."

How Is Jeff Bridges Returning For Tron: Ares?

Kevin Flynn's Fate Explained

After Sam (Garrett Hedlund), Kevin's son, is ed into the Grid in Tron: Legacy, he realizes that Kevin remains alive inside this virtual world. Bridges doesn't just play Kevin in the film, however, but also lends his voice and likeness to Clu, an AI program who serves as the central villain (Clu's physical performance is brought to life by John Reardon). Since the previous film saw Bridges essentially playing two different characters, it's possible that Tron: Ares will do something similar, with Bridges not necessarily returning as Flynn.

It's also entirely possible that Bridges is reprising his role as Flynn once more. While the character seemingly sacrifices himself during the Tron: Legacy ending to take down Clu, the inner workings of Tron City and the Grid mean anything is possible. The scene in which Flynn dies is left somewhat ambiguous in the sense that a body is never shown, but it's previously revealed that reintegration does cause death. It's possible, however, that Flynn somehow lives on in the Grid, unable to ever escape it back to the real world.

Other actors appearing Tron: Ares include: Gillian Anderson, Evan Peters, Cameron Monaghan, Greta Lee, and Sarah Desjardins.

It's also unclear just how prominent a role Bridges will be playing as part of the Tron: Ares cast. The actor could be a very minor presence in the film overall, perhaps appearing as a computer program or in a video diary as the story shifts to new characters. Many questions remain about Tron: Ares, but Bridges' return is evidently an exciting sign for the film.

Source: Film Comment (via The Playlist)