TRON: Legacy is the highly anticipated Christmas holiday movie that will introduce a new generation to the world of Tron and for long time fans bring the virtual realm to a whole new level. From computer whiz Joseph Kosinski whose body of work is something of a marvel, and Lost final season writers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, the film is looking very impressive. Though some big FX driven movies can lose sight of their narrative amidst all the technology despite the best intentions of everyone involved. The original was ground breaking for it’s visuals but failed to impress critics who targeted the somewhat hollow performances and narrative structured around the effects sequences.
This seems to have been the concern of the Legacy filmmakers who sought the opinions of some well known Pixar masters to appraise the first cut of their film. In March director Joseph Kosinski and Disney execs invited industry colleagues as well as the Pixar guns John Lasseter, Ed Catmull, Brad Bird, Michael Arndt to offer their critique. Films of this magnitude usually allow for a contingency period of re-shoots and this was the case with a set of pick ups allotted for June.
After the screenings, Disney then hired Arndt and Bird to collaborate with the screenwriters to create some extra scenes that would help flesh out some of the emotional anchors and include some narrative bookmarks in a way that only the Pixar lads know. Their most recent effort Toy Story 3 just crossed the billion dollar mark worldwide.
Tron Legacy set - Sony F-35 dual lens camera on crane. Photo: Douglas Curran
The re-shoots lasted six days and whilst we’re unsure what the new scenes may hold, an incredible set visit during production by Max Evry from Coming soon may shed some light on what to expect. Taking place in the End-Of-Line Club, it’s filled with colorful denizens of the electronic world and Martin Sheen plays club owner Castor who’s also part of the resistance. He enters pimped out in one of his virtual persona’s amid a slew of clubbers slamming to the beat of Daft Punk who’s also scoring the film. Sheen spoke of his character:
He owns this club and he’s supposedly the coolest cat in the city. He entertains in the club as well as being the owner of it. Apparently he’s also part of a resistance movement within the world of Tron, and Sam Flynn gets sent my way because there’s some cackle who might be able to help him, and if you want to get to him you have to go through me so that’s about all I’m going to tell you.
Michael Sheen talks about his character Castor at Comic-Con
In the scene Castor gives a tour to Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund) who’s lead to the bar where he’s offered a drink by original TRON creator Steven Lisberger, playing the bartender in a cameo. Castor points his cane at Lisberger as a salute of sorts.
Garrett Hedlund, Steven Lisberger, Jeff Bridges, Joseph Kosinski
Director Kosinski is depicted as a very calm and insightful director whose background as an architect and in commercials suits the elements of the film, Jeff Bridges spoke about working with the director:
It’s interesting, different filmmakers, where they come from and what they bring to the film and he’s an architect and so the film has a very heightened design feel to it. By the way, this is his first film. Can you imagine? I don’t know if it’s the most expensive ever made but it’s right up there. To have a first-time guy… Got to give Disney credit for taking that risk. They were smart because he’s such a calm, can-do guy. He’s gonna pull this off. He’s out of commercials, and I saw some of the technology that he had available to him that he could use. It was basically the same reason that I did the first one.
Olivia Wilde, Joseph Kosinski, Jeff Bridges. Photo: Douglas Curran
Co-star Olivia Wilde was also on set and gave some insight into her character.
I play Quorra… I’m a close confidant of Jeff Bridges’ character Flynn. Close, personal confidant. I don’t think it will give anything away to say that Joan of Arc was a major inspiration for my character.
The Cast of Tron Legacy and directors at this years Comic-Con event
The movie is shaping up to be an exhilarating ride for fans as well as for audiences in the age of digital magic. The new scenes will likely add to the overall experience with it’s release date still locked in for December 17. TRON: Legacy is set to be one of the years best holiday films.
[…] feedback, the writers of Toy Story 3 were also brought in to create bookend scenes and help bolster the story. Feedback from bigger audiences also help producers see what is or isn’t working […]