At Disney’s highly anticipated D23 event in Anaheim on August 9, a riveting announcement captured the attention of film and music enthusiasts alike. Nine Inch Nails (NIN), the legendary industrial rock band, will be responsible for composing the score for the upcoming sci-fi epic, *Tron: Ares*. This revelation was made by none other than Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross themselves, who stunned attendees with their appearance during an exclusive teaser for the sequel. This project signifies a monumental turn for the Oscar-winning duo, as their contributions will be officially credited under the NIN name, diverging from their typical film scoring collaborations.
The choice of Nine Inch Nails to craft the soundtrack for *Tron: Ares* arrives with immense pressure and great anticipation. The prequel, *Tron: Legacy*, set a considerable benchmark with its score, composed by the iconic electronic duo Daft Punk. Their work was celebrated for its innovative fusion of electronic music with orchestral elements, creating a paradigm-shifting soundtrack that left an indelible mark on film music. Now, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, revered for their distinctive contributions to the realm of film music, are set to carry the torch forward.
Reznor and Ross first made waves in film scoring with their collaboration on *The Social Network* back in 2010, earning them an Oscar. Their continued partnership has yielded remarkable results, including scores for *Soul* and *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem*. Notably, Ross officially became a member of NIN in 2016, further solidifying their collaborative rapport.
In 2010, the landscape of Hollywood film scores witnessed a transformative shift when two prominent musical duos, each unversed in film composition at the time, were chosen to create groundbreaking original scores. Joseph Kosinski’s decision to bring Daft Punk on board for *Tron: Legacy* was paralleled by David Fincher’s enlistment of Nine Inch Nails for *The Social Network*. Both scores were met with widespread acclaim for their unique blend of electronic music with traditional orchestral components. However, while Reznor and Ross received critical praise and an Oscar win, Daft Punk’s contribution did not even secure a nomination. Now, 14 years after the release of *Tron: Legacy*, and three years following Daft Punk’s official retirement, Reznor and Ross are poised to compose the score for *Tron: Ares*, bringing their unique sonic touch to the franchise.
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At the D23 event, the excitement was palpable as Reznor and Ross took the stage briefly to augment the buzz surrounding *Tron: Ares*. The event’s highlight was the reveal of teaser footage for the film, which featured a dramatic unveiling of the NIN logo in red lasers, signifying the band’s involvement in crafting the soundtrack. Directed by Joachim Rønning, *Tron: Ares* boasts a star-studded cast including Jared Leto, Evan Peters, Jeff Bridges, Greta Lee, and Jodie Turner-Smith. The film is set for a theatrical release on October 10, 2025, and will continue the narrative established by *Tron: Legacy*, the 2010 sequel to the original 1982 *Tron*.
In *Tron: Ares*, Jared Leto portrays Ares, a program from the digital world who ventures into the human realm. Greta Lee’s character, Eve Kim, is a prodigious programmer whose work creates a bridge for Ares to cross into our reality. Evan Peters takes on the role of Julian Dillinger, a character sharing a name with the antagonist from the original *Tron* movie. Peters has hinted at the menacing nature of Dillinger, remarking, “Dillinger doesn’t always mean great things for those on the grid.”
The film’s teaser provides an intriguing glimpse into the plot, showcasing Dillinger contemplatively discussing the future of humanity and the advent of intelligent life from digital domains. This sets the stage for the movie’s exploration of artificial intelligence and virtual worlds.
Notably, Nine Inch Nails will contribute both an original score and new songs to the soundtrack of *Tron: Ares*. The band’s last album, *Ghost VI: Locusts*, was released in 2020, demonstrating their continuing relevance and creative output. In addition to their involvement in *Tron: Ares*, Reznor and Ross are concurrently working on scores for other significant cinematic projects, including Luca Guadagnino’s *Queer* and Scott Derrickson’s sci-fi thriller *The Gorge*, starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller.
As the anticipation builds, fans of both the *Tron* franchise and Nine Inch Nails eagerly await the intersection of these two powerhouse entities. The resulting soundtrack promises to be as revolutionary and impactful as its predecessor, setting the stage for another unforgettable cinematic experience.
