In 1982 Disney’s blockbuster video game fantasy Tron was considered a neon-colored disaster, but today it’s a cult classic.
The movie was truly ahead of its time and all the video game references, computer tech talk, and primitive CGI effects that alienated audiences almost 30 years ago are now the backbone of pop culture.
Since audiences have finally caught up with Tron, Disney has been quietly developing a sequel. They recently unveiled a trailer on the Internet showing that their new project will be a dark sci-fi action adventure. In other words, this ain’t your Daddy’s Tron.
“Disney made the original movie in 1982 and if you saw it then or have even seen it now, it looks and feels unlike anything else,” Tron: Legacy producer Justin Springer said during the recent Fan Expo Canada 2009 in Toronto. He was there to screen footage and share some information about the highly anticipated film.
“What they achieved really inspired us as filmmakers and made us want to push and invent new technology to create something equally impressive for 2010,” said Springer.
The team in charge of Tron: Legacy has done everything they can to create a world that both honors and expands on the original film. Springer and Disney brought in director Joseph Kosinski to supervise the update — a man with no feature film experience.
“Joe’s a commercial director who has done some visually stunning and groundbreaking work,” Springer said. “He has a background in architecture and design and has used a lot of new digital technology in a way that makes it difficult to tell the difference between what’s CG and what’s real.”
The footage Springer screened showcased a rain scarred and bleak universe reminiscent of Blade Runner. Springer also revealed that while the movie just wrapped photography, a further 18 months will be required to complete the complicated visual effects. The movie is slated for release in 2010
“A lot of people think this movie was shot in a giant blue screen stage like 300 but that’s not the case,” said Springer. “Because the director wanted to make the movie as realistic as possible, we built over 50 sets, some taking up entire soundstages.”
Daft Punk recruited
The brief glimpses of the Tron: Legacy concept art producer Justin Springer unveiled suggests that Disney is taking an unconventionally dark and experimental route with the film. One indication of this new direction was the choice for the film composer. “Daft Punk is scoring the film,” said Springer. “We wanted to hire someone who could make an original electronic score and they were interested. It will be a real score and not a Daft Punk dance album.”
