Garrett Hedlund comments on whether audiences will see Sam Flynn in Tron: Ares cast is confirmed to include original movie star Jeff Bridges, with Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Gillian Anderson, Hasan Minhaj, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Cameron Monaghan also confirmed to appear. Hedlund, however, has not been included in cast announcements.

In a recent interview with ScreenRant to promote Barron's Cove, Hedlund confirms that Sam will not be appearing in Tron: Ares. While the actor may not be reprising his role as Kevin Flynn's son in the film, he does express excitement about what it has in store for audiences. He also praises the production for overcoming obstacles like COVD-19 and the dual WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023. Check out Hedlund's comment below:

You know, let's just let that ambiguity rest right up there in the ether. I'm very excited to see what they've done with Ares. They worked so tremendously hard to get this one made. They dealt with the obstacles of COVID, the strike, and still got to the other side. I'm excited. I'm excited, and it spreads the love and the reach for The Grid. It's astounding how much time has gone on since Legacy. But I'm excited that audiences get another injection of Tron, and the programs, and the disc, and The Grid, and a little spice of Bridges.

What This Means For Tron: Ares

Why The New Film Isn't A Continuation Of Sam's Story

Tron: Legacy follows Sam as he is transported into The Grid, where he works with his father and an algorithm named Quorra (Olivia Wilde) to stop a rogue program called Clu from taking over the real world. The film was met with mixed reviews from critics and was ultimately a disappointment at the box office, grossing $400 million worldwide on a $170 million budget. The decision not to continue Sam's story is likely tied both to Legacy's soft reception and the fact that it's now been 15 years since its release.

While Sam may not be returning in Ares, Bridges is confirmed to appear in the film. Specifics regarding Bridges' role, however, have not been revealed, including just how substantially he will feature in the story and who he will be playing. Legacy ends with Kevin seemingly sacrificing himself to stop Clu from leaving The Grid, after all, so Bridges could potentially be playing another AI instead of the real Kevin. From the Tron: Ares trailer, it seems like the film will focus mainly on new characters, meaning Bridges could be a relatively minor presence.

Our Take On Sam's Absence In Tron: Ares

Could Sam Ever Return To The Franchise?

Legacy has seemingly developed a more ionate fan following in the years since its release. The film features stunning visuals and serves as a unique continuation of the original Tron from 1982. Hedlund's Sam makes for a compelling protagonist, making it a shame that he's not returning, but the film does give him a relatively satisfying sendoff.

Tron: Legacy has a lackluster 51% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, but the audience-driven Popcornmeter score is higher at 64%.

Ares is seemingly intended to introduce the world of Tron to an entirely new generation, introducing an all-new cast, save for Bridges. If the film is successful, it could pave the way for another installment, meaning Sam could still potentially return down the line. Hedlund's enthusiasm certainly suggests he would be open to it. It's unclear whether Tron: Ares will be a hit with audiences, but viewers can now be sure that Sam won't be showing up.