Tron: Ares director Joachim Rønning took to Instagram to deliver some hard news. He gave an update on the long-gestating sequel to Tron: Legacy, and it’s not good news. Disney has delayed the movie due to the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes and the AMPTP/studios’ refusal to reach a fair deal with both parties. It was supposed to start filming this week and instead they had to lay off 150 crew members. He teased that the film would have a storyline centered around AI. He went on to support the goals of the work stoppage but recognized that it’s frustrating for other members of Hollywood who want both sides to resolve their differences.

Here are his full comments.

“The absolute best moments of my career have been watching an actor perform in front of the camera – taking the scene and the text to a higher place. I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with amazing talent. It’s a huge part of why I’m a filmmaker. However, like myself, being an actor or a writer, means you’re a freelancer. And I can tell you, the constant uncertainty is not for everyone. To that end I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask for a better safety net.

Many of my best friends are writers. Everything starts with the story. Everything starts with you. That must continue. And that means that AI needs to be regulated. There is no doubt about the threat the technology poses to all creatives.

Today was supposed to be our first day of principal photography on TRON: ARES (a movie subsequently about AI and what it means, and takes, to be human). Instead, we are shut down with over a hundred and fifty people laid off. It’s indefinite, which makes it exponentially harder for everyone. The AMPTP, SAG-AFTRA and WGA need to speed up the negotiating process and not leave the table until it’s done. This is Hollywood. We close deals for breakfast. Why do we suddenly have all the time in the world when every day is so precious? These tactics are extremely frustrating. It’s time for diplomacy so we can get back to work – under conditions that are fair to everybody.”

Tron: Ares stars Jared Leto as Ares, a new character to the franchise. Here’s the official logline.

“The film showcases Ares, Leto’s computer program, on a journey from the digital world to the human one.”

Jesse Wigutow and Jack Thorne wrote it. It also stars Evan Peters, Jodie Turner-Smith, Greta Lee, and Cameron Monaghan. The film has been described as a sequel to 2010’s Tron: Legacy, but it’s not known if Jeff Bridges or Garrett Hedlund will appear.

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Source: Joachim Rønning Instagram

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