Tron: Ares director talked about teasing a 4th Film with the unexpected post credit scene

Tron: Ares, the third installment of the Tron series, was released on October 10, 2025. Written by Jesse Wigutow and based on the story by David Digilio and Wigutow, the film was a highly anticipated one and released ten years after the second Tron film, Tron: Legacy (2015). It follows Ares, a program that leaves the digital world to carry out a mission in the real world.

The franchise is known for taking a long time to release films: the first one came out in 1982, the second in 2015, and the third in 2025. Thus, there was considerable doubt whether a fourth film would be made, and if so, when it would be released. While a fourth film hasn't been confirmed, Tron: Ares director Joachim Rønning has hinted that it might just happen.

Joachim Rønning on a 4th film after Tron: Ares

Tron: Ares' ending and mid-credits scene allow for a fourth Tron film. The film ended with Ares planning to find Sam and Quorra, and the mid-credits scene showed Julian getting transformed into a version of Sark after entering the Dillinger Grid. While these two developments have the potential to lead to a fourth film, the director and producers would have to see profit and potential, too, for a fourth film to be made.

Director Joachim Rønning recently spoke to Collider about a potential 4th film and said that's possible only if Tron: Ares brings in the money and proves that fans really want a fourth one. He said,

"If we are lucky enough to be able to continue this story, if enough people go and watch this version and this next installment, we can answer those questions."

He continued,

"It’s a little bit a part of the journey when you're trying to make things land. So, I can't sit there and have all the answers for you right now because I've been just so into the present, getting this film done. For me, it's like, yeah, we'll get to that. We've obviously thought of that, but for me, it was just such an amazing moment to have Sark back and to be able, again, to just honor the franchise somehow, and the original movie."

Tron: Ares had a budget of $180 million and earned over $60.5 million, including worldwide collection, in its first weekend. On Rotten Tomatoes, audiences gave it an 86% score, while critics gave it only 56%. However, the film will be playing in IMAX for two more weeks, and if it manages to be a commercial hit, there might just be a fourth film, as Rønning said.

Tron: Ares stars Jared Leto as Ares, Greta Lee as Eve Kim, Evan Peters as Julian Dillinger, Jodie Turner-Smith as Athena, Hasan Minhaj as Ajay Singh, Arturo Castro as Seth Flores, Gillian Anderson as Elisabeth Dillinger, Jeff Bridges as Kevin Flynn, Cameron Monaghan as Caius, Sarah Desjardins as Erin, Selene Yun as Tess Kim, Roger Cross as Cross, and Roark Critchlow as General McGrath, among others. The film is produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Sean Bailey Productions.

Tron: Ares is now playing in theaters. It will most likely be released on Disney+ soon.