Tron: Legacy

Tron: Legacy is a 2010 American science fiction action film directed by Joseph Kosinski, and written by Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis. It is the second installment in the Tron series and a sequel to Tron (1982). The film stars Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Bruce Boxleitner, and Michael Sheen. The story follows Kevin Flynn's adult son Sam, who responds to a message from his long-lost father and is transported into a virtual reality called "the Grid", where Sam, his father, and the program Quorra must stop the malevolent digital mirror image of Kevin Flynn, Clu, from invading the real world. Interest in creating a sequel to Tron arose after the film garnered a cult following. After much speculation, Walt Disney Pictures began a concerted effort in 2005 to devise a sequel, with the hiring of Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal as writers. Kosinski was recruited as director two years later. As he was not optimistic about Disney's The Matrix-esque approach to the film, Kosinski filmed a concept trailer, which he used to conceptualize the universe of Tron: Legacy and convince the studio to greenlight the film. Principal photography took place in Vancouver over 67 days, in and around the city's central business district. Most sequences were shot in 3D and ten companies were involved with the extensive visual effects work. Chroma keying and other techniques were used to allow more freedom in creating effects. French electronic music duo Daft Punk composed the film's musical score, releasing a soundtrack album that incorporates their trademark electronic sound with orchestral arrangements. Tron: Legacy premiered in Tokyo on November 30, 2010, and was released in the United States on December 17, by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Disney vigorously promoted the film across multiple media platforms, including merchandising, consumer products, theme parks, and advertising. The film received mixed reviews from critics, and was a commercial success, grossing $409 million against a $170 million budget. The film was nominated for Best Sound Editing at the 83rd Academy Awards. Like its predecessor, Tron: Legacy has been described as a cult film since its release. A sequel, Tron: Ares, was released in 2025.