Imagine a world where the iconic Cillian Murphy, beloved by fans, was set to return to the Tron universe, but with a twist!
The Villainous Turn: A Missed Opportunity?
In the realm of Tron: Ares, concept art unveiled a potential path that never came to be. Cillian Murphy, who graced the screen in Tron: Legacy as Ed Dillinger Jr., was initially envisioned to take on a more prominent role in the hypothetical third installment. The concept art, crafted by Phil Saunders, hinted at a transformation, making Murphy "the new Sark," a command program created by Dillinger's father, Ed Sr., in the original film.
But here's where it gets intriguing: Saunders revealed that this artwork was more of a strategic move to entice Murphy back, a clever ploy to reprise his role as the junior Dillinger. When Murphy opted out, the narrative shifted, and the Dillinger-Sark connection was passed down to Ed Jr.'s son, Julian (played by Evan Peters).
In a post-credit scene of Tron: Ares, Julian embarks on a journey into the Grid, evading the police, and stumbles upon the Sark disc. The armor materializes around him, leaving viewers with a tantalizing cliffhanger. Will this storyline ever be resolved? Unlikely, but in the world of cinema, anything is possible.
Beyond the Sark concept, Saunders shared more glimpses into the world of Ares. From the Recognizer crashing into the city to Dillinger's unique Skimmer and the Grid Portal, each piece of art offers a glimpse into Saunders' creative process. References to coaxial cables for the portal beams and utilizing Legacy effects for the Skimmer's rez-up effect showcase his attention to detail.
Explore Saunders' ArtStation for a deeper dive into his artistic journey, including his contributions to Legacy and various Marvel films.
And this is the part most people miss: the intricate world-building that goes into these films, often hidden in concept art and the creative process.
So, what do you think? Is the potential missed opportunity of Murphy's expanded role a bummer, or do you appreciate the creative direction the team took with Julian? Share your thoughts in the comments; we'd love to hear your take on this Tron twist!
