Tron sequel finds new life with Lion director Garth Davis on board. Insiders say Davis aggressively pursued the job. Lion received six Oscar nominations including for Best Picture. Davis also directed the 2018 feature Mary Magdalene.
Jared Leto is attached to star in the third installment of the Disney franchise. The first Tron movie debuted in 1982 and starred Jeff Bridges (The Big Lebowski, True Grit) as a video game designer Flynn who is transported inside his own computer program. Though Tron was not a hit, it developed a cult following and is fondly remembered for its groundbreaking special effects and imaginative story. In 2010 came the sequel, Tron: Legacy, which once again starred Bridges and featured original star Bruce Boxleitner (Babylon 5) along with series newcomers Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde. That film did go on to have box office success, bringing in $400 million globally, but even so plans for a sequel were delayed while Disney figured out how to move the story forward.
Hedlund played Kevin Flynn’s son Sam, who entered the virtual reality known as the Grid to prevent a rogue program named Clu from invading the real world.
“I’m struck with such gratitude for the opportunity to bring this movie to life, especially as both the original video game and the film affected me so deeply as a young child,” Leto wrote on Instagram Monday. “The fact that I get to be a part of this new chapter is mind-blowing.”
At one point, Disney and director Joseph Kosinski planned to film a direct sequel to 2010’s Tron Legacy, but moved on to direct Tom Cruise in 2013’s Oblivion.
Jesse Wigutow wrote the latest draft of the third TRON movie, and Leto will produce with Justin Springer and Emma Ludbrook. Davis coming on to the project signals the next installment may finally happen, but insiders still stress a greenlight has not been given.
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David Raiklen wrote, directed and scored his first film at age 9. He began studying keyboard and composing at age 5. He attended, then taught at UCLA, USC and CalArts. Among his teachers are John Williams and Mel Powel.
He has worked for Fox, Disney and Sprint. David has received numerous awards for his work, including the 2004 American Music Center Award. Dr. Raiklen has composed music and sound design for theater (Death and the Maiden), dance (Russian Ballet), television (Sing Me a Story), cell phone (Spacey Movie), museums (Museum of Tolerance), concert (Violin Sonata ), and film (Appalachian Trail).
His compositions have been performed at the Hollywood Bowl and the first Disney Hall. David Raiken is also host of a successful radio program, Classical Fan Club.
