Tron: Ares is a follow-up to Disney’s 1982 seminal science fiction film, Tron, and the 2010 sequel, Tron: Legacy.
From director Joachim Rønning, the film’s story follows a highly sophisticated Program, Ares, who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings.
Roughly 90% of the shots in Tron: Ares required visual effects, and thus ILM’s work on the film was wide-ranging, including significant contributions to both the ENCOM and Dillinger Grids, as well as to the retro-style Flynn Grid. Additionally, ILM was responsible for the seamless integration of Grid-based vehicles and characters into the real world. Principal photography was centered in Vancouver, where ILM’s team already based in the city was able to advise on the capturing of live action plates and related elements. The depiction of Light Cycles and Recognizers in the human realm required a new approach to the appearance and movement of the vehicles. Within the Grid environments, ILM pushed the classic Tron aesthetic to realize captivating and dynamic imagery.
Led by ILM’s own David Seager as production visual effects supervisor, ILM’s visual effects work was hubbed in both Vancouver and Sydney, with additional contributions from the Mumbai studio and various partner companies.
ILM’s visual effects in Tron: Ares won Best Visual Effects or Animation at the 2026 AACTA Awards and was nominated for Outstanding Environment in a Photoreal Feature and Outstanding CG Cinematography at the VES Awards in the same year.
Tron: Ares is now available to watch on Disney+.
Read more about Tron: Ares on ILM.com:
The Grid Hits the Streets: ILM’s David Seager on the Visual Effects of ‘Tron: Ares’
ILM’s Jeff Capogreco and Jhon Alvarado Take Us Into the Grid of ‘Tron: Ares’
