The third film in the franchise, Tron: Ares, has been forced to shut down production due to the ongoing actors and writers strike, as announced by the film’s director, Joachim Rønning, on Instagram, which includes over a hundred and fifty people having been laid off.
“The absolute best moments of my career have been watching an actor perform in front of the camera – taking the scene and the text to a higher place. I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with amazing talent. It’s a huge part of why I’m a filmmaker. However, like myself, being an actor or a writer, means you’re a freelancer. And I can tell you, the constant uncertainty is not for everyone. To that end I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask for a better safety net,” wrote Rønning, who is known for directing Disney’s Maleficent: Mistress of Evil and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.
Rønning continued, “Many of my best friends are writers. Everything starts with the story. Everything starts with you. That must continue. And that means that AI needs to be regulated. There is no doubt about the threat the technology poses to all creatives.”
Rønning added, “Today was supposed to be our first day of principal photography on TRON: ARES (a movie subsequently about AI and what it means, and takes, to be human). Instead, we are shut down with over a hundred and fifty people laid off. It’s indefinite, which makes it exponentially harder for everyone.
“The AMPTP, SAG-AFTRA and WGA need to speed up the negotiating process and not leave the table until it’s done. This is Hollywood. We close deals for breakfast. Why do we suddenly have all the time in the world when every day is so precious?” said Rønning. “These tactics are extremely frustrating. It’s time for diplomacy so we can get back to work – under conditions that are fair to everybody.”
Tron: Ares on pause
Deadline adds that sources film them in Tron: Ares hasn’t been canceled and will resume production when the strike is over.
Tron: Ares follows the 1982 original and the 2010 sequel, Tron: Legacy.
Jared Leto stars as Ares, with the film also starring Cameron Monaghan, Evan Peters, Sarah Desjardins, Greta Lee, and Jodie Turner-Smith.
IMDb describes Tron: Ares as showcasing Ares, Leto’s computer program, on a journey from the digital world to the human one.
