ReflecTRONs...

Don't derez...

With the apparent end of Uprising, I thought we'd reflect on what it was and what could have been...

The world that they expanded on from "Tron: Legacy" was amazing.  The animation is some of the best I've seen on television, and the stories were surprisingly complex and well thought out.  Sadly, it wasn't enough.  And it seems that after a while, the Mouse got tired of promoting it, eventually relegating it to a late time slot when it wasn't expected to succeed, just wither and die like a vine with no sunlight.

Perhaps if the DVD/Blu-Ray sales are good enough, or the showings on Netflix and other places get enough viewers it could be brought back.  Not likely, but possible (ala: Family Guy).  Then there is the chance that maybe a straight-to-DVD film could be made?  Maybe a series of them even, so they could tie up the loose ends and flesh out the world some more?  It's Hollywood, anything could happen, nothing could happen.

Here is a cool montage of the show/series that you might find interesting.

The entire Comic-Con panel for the show from last year, or the sizzle reel if you just want to see that.

An interview the Hollywood Reporter did with Bruce Boxleitner.

And then there are all these interviews with the cast and crew.

Disney XD released the first episode, "Beck's Beginning" free for all to see last year, and it's pretty good if you haven't seen it.

And if you care to give it a try, there's always a petition you can sign to let the Suits know that you care.

But the Grid will survive, and in a couple years we may take another trip there...

Uprising's Downfall…

Get on the Grid, watch now...

It looks like Beck's life on the grid may turn out to be a short one…

It appears that the ratings for the Disney XD show "Tron: Uprising" aren't nearly as strong as the Suits would like, and this series is on the verge of being canceled at the end of the season.  Not enough people are turning in to the shows toward a second season. That's kind of sad, because it's really quite good. The stories are interesting, characters are the kind you care for, and the animation is top notch, particularly for television show.

No decision has been made yet, but the artist working on the show appear to see the writing on the wall as well as some of the producers/directors of the show.  So unless a lot more people start paying attention the series, this tale will never be fulfilled, and we'll just have to wait and see if a legacy continues.

If you haven't seen the series, may I suggest you take a look at it. It's really quite fun, and something the creators of the show are quite proud of. I feel one the main problems is a long hiatus, erratic time slot and a lack of a cohesive advertising strategy across various platforms.  Disney's marketing started off marketing the show cleverly, but has since dropped the ball badly.

As for as for how this affects the green lighting of the sequel to the sequel, we don't yet know...

Tron: Uprising 2.0...

This is starting to show a lot of potential...









I am really starting to like this series...

The animation is first rate, some of the best I've seen on television... ever. The story is good, the characters are compelling and there is a whole world we're seeing that the films only glossed over. "Tron Uprising" is a great reason to watch Disney XD along with all the Marvel shows, and it's a great example of how there's still life on the Grid.

If you haven't seen the first Episode: "Beck Begins" then you need to watch it. And for those that have seen it, here is the second episode: "Renegade Pt. 1" for your viewing pleasure. I wonder what else we'll see on Disney XD in the coming years?

I have a few ideas and have heard a few rumors, but that will be for another post in the future...

Mobile Grid...

Looks like a trailer park uprising...








With "Tron Uprising" coming out soon, the Mouse is in full publicity mode...

Beginning today and going all the way through Thursday, if you are in Downtown Disney at Disneyland, you might see that big trailer there above the article. It's a mobile theater that is showing the first episode of "Tron Uprising" to the public. It's a great way to let people out and about go and experience this new animated series. I hope that this show does well, not only because it is good and very entertaining, but it'll bode well for TR3N.

It's nice to see Disney doing some marketing that I actually like...

Uprising's Beginnings...

Beck has a bloated ego if he thinks he's TRON...












For those of you that can't wait for "Tron Uprising" the Mouse has given you a gift...

"Beck's Beginning" has been released to bridge the gap between now and June. It's a full half hour episode and sets the table for what is to come. Take a look inside the world of what happened between Tron and Legacy.

Now if they can get David DiGilio's script for the third film in shooting shape...

Trontastic...

Building a better Grid, bit by bit...









Disney has released a new, longer trailer for "Tron: Uprising" which premieres in June...

It really gives you a much better look at the world of the animated series. And it appears quite impressive. The animation is very good (some parts, gorgeous even) and the style is unique with subtle influences of Japanime. Take a look and see what you think.

The Grid is going to be very active this summer...

More Uprisings...

The Grid is good, the programs...








No sooner has a teaser commercial came out, the Mouse has now released something better...

Actually, a couple of things have been released. First is an actual trailer. It shows a lot more of the world we'll come to know when it debuts this summer. Second, that poster up above was released as well. Don't see many posters being released for television shows, do you? Well, it's nice to see the Grid getting so much attention. Hopefully that will bode well for T3RN.

Till June...

Building Better Grids...

Tron in 2015 in theaters and Shanghai...


We haven't gotten a green light for TR3N just yet...

But we have gotten clues that they are moving forward with it. First there is the animated series which debuts next year on Disney XD, then there are other projects being worked at in non-film related divisions of the company. Ahem. Now comes word that Walt Disney Studios has hired David DiGilio to pen a new version of the script.

This doesn't mean the film is going to start shooting anytime soon, but it does mean that the fire hasn't gone out yet on this property. It appears that a lot will wrest on how successful "Tron Uprising" is on television. If it is a hit and creates a loyal following, then you're like to see another film on the grid.

If not, you'll always have Blu-Ray...

Good News From The Grid...

Number Three could possibly be...





It appears that you Programs got some great news this week...

The Blu-Ray/DVD for "Tron Legacy" was a big winner. The sales were good enough to make Disney Suits take notice. Now of course, they're going to have to continue to be good, but so far it's impressive.

The sequel to "Tron" was number one, but it was so with a huge 68% of sales and outsold the DVD two-to-one. The third film in the series hasn't been green lit no matter what anyone has told you, but business like this makes it more likely. If you haven't yet got a copy and plan on it, may I suggest you depart with some green. It may make the difference between a two and a three.

As in TR3N...

OpTRONs...

Can't tell a play without a program...







So today is a day all you programs have waited for...



There is still no green light for the sequel, but plans are cautiously moving forward. If you know anything about Hollywood then you'll understand that this is not a ringing signal that the project is a go. But if you want to help tip the scales then today is the day to do that.



While the film will finish with over $400 million dollars at the box office, it doesn't mean we'll see TR3N anytime soon. But Suits are going to be watching the sales figures from the release of DVD's/Blu-Ray's and the various film incarnations that are available as of today.



From what I'm hearing, a definite go for the threequel will only come if financial figures from the film's home release are high enough to justify the cost of a third film. So if you want it to happen it's partially within your power. Buy one, buy two and give it to a friend.



Press play and watch what will happen...






Deposit another quarter please...

End Of A Legacy...

Game on, game on, game on...






Those of you that go to DCA tonight to see World of Color are in for something special...

You see, tonight is supposed to be the last performance(s) of the "Troncore" trailer at the end of the show. While, as of now nothing has been green lit to take it's place, there are a couple of presentations that WDI is mulling over. We should see something to replace it by the time summer is upon us.

But for those of you that see the show tonight, you have seen the last of Legacy...

First Look @ An Uprising...

2N In 4 fun and games...






When you buy the new "Tron Legacy" Blu-Ray/DVD you'll get a lot of bonus features...

One of those will be the trailer for Disney XD's animated series "Tron Uprising." But if you want to see it before then, click here.

Looks very nice. I can't wait to see/DVR this. So much happening in the world of Tron right now.

An exciting time to be on the grid...

Blu-Steel...

I fight for the Blu-Ray and DVD Users...

I want this SteelBook...

And I may even purchase that Ultimate Tron Experience.  Maybe that's what the Mouse has been wanting all along?

Now if I could just build me an IMAX theater in my back yard to show it in...

ObservaTRONs...

Game over, man...

Or not...



A lot of news/rumors about Walt Disney Pictures' "Tron Legacy" have circulated over the past few days...

Just wanted to chime in on it with a combination of opinion and knowledge from Blue Sky's unique perspective. I know Harry from Ain't It Cool News has been quite vocal in his support of the film as well as his reporting on the green lighting of TR3N/inclusion of a trailer for it on the upcoming DVD/Blu-Ray release. While I don't have his contacts, my own Bothans haven't given me any news about that, but I do have my own musings.

There was an initial belief that for the film to be a worthy success that it would have to gross $200 mil domestic/$200 mil international, but at the certain studios that logic could fly out the window. The film is on track to top out around $175 million domestic and around $190 million more internationally. That puts the film on track to come in somewhere around $365/$375 million total. Not chump change, but not a picture that turned in "Avatar" numbers of course. Still, it will come pretty close to the that $400 million mark that studios tend to use as a guide for judging if a film could/should have a sequel.

But as in the case of a film like "Cars," box office isn't the only factor in such a matter. That little film grossed only $461 million during its run in theaters. While not a small amount, it was far less than other Pixar films had or have made during their runs. Still, we look forward to a sequel to that film to come out this summer. That's what happens when a film has merchandising levels of 2 billion dollars a year. And that's why with all the marketing power of Disney behind it and five years of building that brand with new, young males it has the potential to do far more at the box office than the original film.

Tron merchandise hasn't quite reached that level, but it is selling remarkably well. Enough so that they have had trouble keeping stock of specific items in the theme parks. The Disney rave known as "ElecTRONica" has been an unprecedented success that has been extended till April. And as a brand factory, the Mouse is looking for properties that it can take and exploit. Tron could be one of those properties. While a movie like "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" has made a slightly similar box office take ($335 million), it hasn't produced nearly the benefit of expanding beyond people actually going to see it in a theater. Translation: Not enough shirts, toys and games were sold to justify any sequel.

And for those that think studios won't make a sequel to this because of the box office, remember a little film called "G.I. Joe" that came out in 2009? It had a worldwide gross of $302 million dollars. And if anyone has been paying attention, Paramount is moving ahead with a sequel, albeit without original director Stephen Sommers. And for those that think it cost less than Legacy; it cost more (Joe: $175 mil/TL: $170). The Studio suits saw the potential for merchandising and it was justified to make another one. I'm sure Disney Suits are taking note of all the people that have seen this film 2,3, and some up 7 or 8 times in a theater. That kind of brand loyalty is very difficult to find.

So a sequel to the sequel to the original isn't dead and doomsayers and haters should caution their tantrums and insults. Tron Fans should also take a note of caution as well, there is no green light yet. Those plans for a trailer of TR3N could turn out to be just extra scenes for the Blu-Ray/DVD or maybe even just a teaser for "Tron Uprising."

But either way, the last line of code has yet to be written on the Grid...

28 Years Versus 28 Months...

Game on, again...




I'm sure you all saw that post over at Ain't It Cool News yesterday...

Now, I have no confirmation of this. In fact, I've been waiting to hear back from several bothans, and I know as of last week the Bothans in Glendale were still waiting to hear if their proposals would be moving forward out of the blue sky phase.

But according Harry and his sources, the Mouse is about to green light a third Tron film. A sequel to Legacy would be the second of a proposed new trilogy that sets the original in a place of its own. Now I know many people didn't expect another Tron film, several have considered this one a bomb. It's not a bomb, but it certainly isn't the "Star Wars" type of blockbuster that Disney was hoping for. That said, it has just crossed the $300 million figure and will likely top out between $350 and $400 million global. Not bad, but for it to have been the hit Burbank Suits were wanting, it would have had to come close to half a billion. Still, the merchandise is selling well, the ElecTRONica event at DCA is a HUGE hit that has been extended to April (at least) and there are still those cable, pay-per-view and DVD/Blu-Ray sales to consider.

When it all comes to a close the film will be profitable, but the question is how popular? And if that will be enough to green light another film. One thing I can tell you is that if another film comes together, John Lasseter and the Brain Trust will have much more say in the story. Rich Ross has been actively involving John in the process far more than Dick Cook ever did. He's been picking apart what the folks at the Lamp feel about much of the upcoming slate. So if we do get to go on the grid, next time you're going to see a more solid script before they start filming. From what I've heard, the animated series is still going ahead. Nothing has been stopped, no plugs have been pulled. So all you haters can hold off on your funeral for Kevin Flynn and his kin.

There may yet be another chance to ride those light cycles...

The Thinking Man's Legacy...

There is a lot of discussion out there about "Tron Legacy's"story or lack thereof...

I read this article by Massawyrm over at Ain't It Cool News the other day and thought it was an insightful response to critics of the film. Love it, like it or hate it, the man has some very thoughtful analysis of the film that many should read.

And then maybe go watch it to see what you've missed out on the Grid...

One Hundred MillTRON...

Walt Disney Pictures' "Tron Legacy" has passed the 100 million dollar mark...

The picture opened in first place, but slightly less than predicted (43 million versus 50 million), but has maintained a steady daily average. While it's not the blockbuster the Mouse had hoped, it's doing solid business, earning about 170 million worldwide so far. In the case of IMAX it's doing record setting business, with a quarter of the profit coming from those small amount of screens. While the future of this film is a franchise or not isn't known, the box office has been surprisingly steady. The merchandise, DVD/Blu-Ray/rental and animated series will determine if there's a TR3N.

Till then, the grid is still active...

DirecTRON...

Action...


From the Grid...

Over at Collider, they've got a really interesting interview with Joe Kosinski about "Tron Legacy" that you might want to read. Lots of stuff about Easter eggs, deleted scenes, compromises that had to be made and intentions for the Blu-Ray and possible thoughts about TR3N.

Give it a click...

Longing For A Legacy...

You're messing with my zen, man...


by TRON UNIT

28 years, 161 days later, Tron's legacy lives on. Joe Kosinski's understated long-awaited sequel to Steven Lisberger's game changing electronic mythos is a visual triumph, a world unlike anything we've ever seen before, transforming the iconography of its predecessor into an awesome 3D spectacle, but it is an imperfect world, its breathtaking three dimensions propped upon the two dimensional pillars of its problematic plot and one that would be looked upon with the consternations of its biggest adversary who, ironically, is the one who nearly completely undermines and very nearly derezzes it… Clu.

The film's biggest special effect is also its biggest failure. The technology that I had hoped would be the promise of taking Tron once again to a new revolutionary cinematic level and breaking new technical ground in much the same way as the original film had ushered in a new era at the dawn of the digital film making frontier cannot raise the bar set by its own ambition and demonstrates that we still have quite a ways to go before digital actors can convincingly look indistinguishable from real human performers. The CGI animation used to make Jeff Bridges look 20 years younger metaphorically resemble the poor prosthetic makeup of a cheap rubber mask and rendered like cut-scenes from its video game counterpart Tron: Evolution. Having watched numerous films starring Bridges throughout his career I can tell you that he did not look at all like his poorly rendered doppelganger at that age. The eyes, the brows, the cheekbones, and the mouth have an unconvincing artificiality about them that betrays the illusion and takes us out of this fantastic visual world and Bridges raspy aged voice also betrays the effect. In a creepy sort of way it almost works for the character within the context of the story because he is supposed to be an artificial construct and we can almost buy that he doesn't look quite like a real human being, but during the film's opening scenes when we see Bridges in flashback playing younger Kevin Flynn telling bedtime stories to his son, Sam, it robs the moment between a father and his son of its already forced sincerity and dehumanizes it in a cold and unsettling way.

The plot is almost video-game like in its objective as the competing faction of Clu's militaristic forces must obtain elder Flynn's identity disc which is a master key to unlock the door to our world so that he and his army can take it over. It is never explained how exactly virtual programs existing in the digital world can somehow manifest themselves into tangible living matter in our physical world just as it does not attempt to explain why a User like Sam can bleed in its digital realm other than the fact he is simply a User and "he's different," nor does it attempt to explain how Kevin Flynn has aged 20 years trapped in his digital confinement when theoretically he shouldn't have physically aged at all as a digital avatar of himself. Narratively it misses the opportunity to explore such philosophical questions and complex idioms of science fiction as it so masterfully eluded to in the film's promising test trailer shown at Comic Con and either completely ignores or avoids those questions it raises and is the other major disappointment of the film. The original Tron explored such intriguing philosophical ideas around the religious beliefs of its programs and their creators but Tron Legacy's most astonishing revelation delivered by Alan when he tells Sam that his father was about to change science, medicine and religion in such a profound way is simply thrown away in a single line of expository dialogue. We never learn the real reason why Flynn created this world in the first place other than the fact that it was far out biodigital jazz, man.

Once again Jeff Bridges is the cement that holds the foundations of the Troniverse together solely with his strength and conviction of his performance as zen guru cyber-Jesus Flynn to his Judas megalomaniacal alter-ego Clu in some sort of virtual yin and yang. Garret Hedlund is surprisingly likeable as his son, Sam. Thankfully, he's no wooden Hayden Christiansen (although he would have made a much better Anakin Skywalker) and plays the cliched angst-ridden rebellious youth with convincingly noble admiration. Reciprocally, Olivia Wilde plays the character of Quorra with a truthful childlike innocence and wonder that demonstrates she has more to offer as an actress than just luscious fanboy eyecandy. Michael Sheen livens the film with his jestly rendition of David Bowie circa glam rock era Ziggy Stardust. And once again Bruce Boxleitner returns as Alan Bradley aka Tron… sort of. After all it's called TRON Legacy, right? Though, like the first film, the story is centered around Flynn's character and his legacy of which Tron is merely incidental to. The enigmatic character of Rinzler is Clu's badass henchman, one part Darth Maul wielding two discs, and one part Boba Fett as a mysterious tracker whose helmeted identity is concealed and it doesn't take half a nerd to figure out who he is.

As a 3D film Tron Legacy works perfectly in most part because its illuminated electronic visuals naturally lends itself to creating brightly rendered 3D images which has been the downfall of all other 3D films. Tron Legacy is by far the real Avatar. It makes the world of Pandora look like a cartoon by comparison. It's a place I would want to visit again because it is unlike anything seen in our world or any other. The brilliantly 3D rendered Disney logo showcasing the Magic Kingdom "Tronified" is appropriately memorable for setting the tone of the film which is then 2D until Sam is transported into Tron's colorful three dimensional illuminated world like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. As a first-time director Joe Kosinski proves that he has the technical prowess to design a fully immersive world much like Ridley Scott did with Alien and Blade Runner but his weakness is marshaling a cohesive script equally as interesting to support it, but then again the original Tron, to be fair, didn't have a strong script to support it either so in that sense they are both equal in that they are both great visual spectacles but lack any real cohesive structure and substance. The numerous homages to the original film are carefully and cleverly handled, however the cascade of homages to other sci-fi films like 2001, Blade Runner and Star Wars seem almost out of place in Tron's world. I could have done without the banal Lucasian dialogue of the Light Jet sequence with lines like "Here they come" and "I got him!" without expecting the next line to deliver a "Great kid! Don't get cocky!"

As a fan of the original Tron I am torn. Part of me is protective of its mythos and at the same time heartbroken that what was once a unique, groundbreaking film has now been rendered obsolete by its own sequel that has taken the technology and improved upon it in nearly every visual way. The Lighcycle and Disc Wars sequences, for example, are spectacularly exhilarating and render the graphics in the original film relics of the Atari age by comparison and why Disney has wisely kept the original film hidden away in its vaults and not releasing it on Blu-Ray yet. Fortunately as a sequel it delivers without the bitter disappointment of something like Star Wars or Indiana Jones. It's no Phantom Menace or Crystal Skull, thank God, but it's not the potentially epic masterpiece it could have been either but rather just another tent-pole blockbuster special effects film. If it performs well there will no doubt be more Tron films that confident Disney has stated they already have in development along with an animated TV show but as a film Tron Legacy can stand on its own without them but should there be would require the participation of Jeff Bridges and Bruce Boxleitner to make them work if they have any chance at all of succeeding. Without them, it wouldn't be a Tron film at all. Tron lives. He fights for the Users.

END OF LINE

Framed...

Imagine that on the wall next to my other sweet swag...


When you take the last three posters from Walt Disney Pictures "Tron Legacy" and put them together, they make one awesome banner...

Best. Three. Tron. Posters. Ever.

I am soooo getting this framed...