The Grid is coming back online. Earlier last Spring, we traveled to Vancouver to step inside the world of Tron: Ares, Disney’s long-awaited continuation of its neon-soaked sci-fi saga. From walking through towering sets and climbing onto a real light cycle, to watching Greta Lee and director Joachim Rønning bring scenes to life, it was clear this isn’t just another sequel; it’s a bold attempt to evolve the franchise into something spectacular.
Here are the five biggest highlights from our visit to the ‘Tron: Ares’ set:
1. The War Room’s Big Vision
Before stepping onto the sets, we were ushered into the “War Room,” where producer Justin Springer laid out the film’s DNA. The walls were lined with massive screens, concept art, and set designs that served as a crash course for the new frontier Ares is attempting to explore, and it literally looked like an art gallery from the future; glowing cityscapes, cavernous chambers, and armor that looked like it had been pulled out of a dream. Springer explained how these images weren’t just pretty designs; they were the foundation for the world we’ll see on screen. If the final cut looks anything like the art pinned up in that room, ‘Tron: Ares’ might be one of the most visually striking movies Disney has ever put out.
2. Sets That Blur Past and Future
The sets of ‘Tron: Ares’ are designed to disorient and dazzle viewers all at once, and damn did it do that. Production designer Darren Gilford guided us through the Regeneration Room and Extraction Corridors – towering sets with deep red light, slashed through with sharp bursts of white. The harsh lines and sheer scale gave the spaces that unmistakable Tron aesthetic, like stepping into a glowing, digital cathedral. And just when we thought we’d seen it all, we entered a third set alive with nostalgia: arcade machines, old posters, and vintage touches woven into the Grid’s futuristic world. It was a reminder of just how much thought and care the entire team put behind bringing these worlds to life on the screen.
3. The Toys of the Grid: Light Cycles, Weapons, and More
No ‘Tron’ visit is complete without the toys. Special effects supervisor Cam Waldbauer unveiled the light cycle, a fully remote-controlled machine that tilts and leans as if you’re actually steering it through the Grid. It felt both equal parts stunt bike and spaceship. Nearby, in the props lock-up, that immersion deepened even more: the Identity Disk and other weapons were heavy, textured, and meticulously crafted, grounding the fantasy in physical reality. Holding one in your hands, you understood why the cast doesn’t need to fake the weight of the Grid; it’s right there with them. Between the cycle and the weapons, it was clear that ‘Ares’ wants its digital world to feel tangible in every way.
4. Costumes Built Like Couture
The costume department felt less like a workshop and more like a backstage runway. Designer Christine Bieselin Clark and her team were deep in the process of tailoring and refining the outfits, but we got a peek at all of the textured fabrics and custom details the team was doing at the time. Watching them work, pinning and adjusting under bright lights, it was clear these weren’t just costumes but hand-built pieces of art that made the Grid feel alive and thriving. It was Tron’s high-tech aesthetic brought to life, stitch by stitch.
5. The Weight of the Franchise
Director Joachim Rønning isn’t shy about the pressure. “Tron has a weight to it,” he told us between takes with Greta Lee, who was acting against the glowing horizon of a massive Volume screen. “Fans love it, and we all want to get it right.” It wasn’t just him saying that, either; you could feel it across the set. The stunt team drilled fight choreography with the same intensity, props and costumes were treated with reverence, and every performance felt locked in. Everyone on this production seemed fully aware of the legacy they’re carrying. Just being on set, you could feel the palpable respect the cast and crew had for honoring the franchise. Here’s hoping they land the jump.