Jared Leto says starring in 'TRON: Ares' is a 'childhood dream'

"TRON: Ares" arrives in theaters Oct. 10, 2025.

October 8, 2025, 9:35 AM

Jared Leto is sharing his excitement for "TRON: Ares." 

The actor joined "Good Morning America" on Wednesday to discuss his role in the upcoming film, calling the experience "a childhood dream."

"I've entered the grid," Leto said, referencing the world of "TRON." "I've had a chance to be a part of this series, and it's incredible. It's a childhood dream for me."

Leto also discussed working with "TRON" star Jeff Bridges, who has played software programmer and video game creator Kevin Flynn in all three "TRON" movies, the first of which premiered in 1982.

"He's incredible. He's really everything that you think he is. He's generous, he's kind, he's fun, he's funny. And I just love him. He is a good guy," Leto said.

The actor touched on the upcoming film's focus on artificial intelligence, noting that "TRON" movies have a tendency to tackle current questions on technology.

"In the way the first film talked about home computers, just computers and video games, that was topical. This movie is coming out at a time where everyone is talking about AI and how that's changing the world," he said.

Evan Peters, Gillian Anderson, Jodie Turner-Smith, Jared Leto, Jeff Bridges, Greta Lee, Hasan Minhaj and Sarah Desjardins attend the World Premiere of Disney's "Tron: Ares" at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood, CA on October 06, 2025.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

The Oscar winner, who stars as Ares in the upcoming new installment in the "TRON" franchise, also spoke with "GMA" at the film's premiere in Los Angeles on Monday night and shared why he's looking forward to fans seeing the movie. 

"I'm excited to be here celebrating -- celebrating the movie, celebrating [Bridges], listening to some music and celebrating movies that are in theaters the way they should be," he said.

Leto, who served as an executive producer on "TRON: Ares," also shared that he saw the first "TRON" film in the theater in 1982. 

Leto stars in the new film alongside a star-studded cast, which includes Bridges, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Gillian Anderson, Arturo Castro, Hasan Minhaj and Jodie Turner-Smith. 

The actor had a sweet moment with Turner-Smith on Monday night's red carpet and praised her performance in the film. 

"She's incredible in the movie," Leto said.

He added that he had to "talk her into doing the movie."

"She just kills it," he said. "We have to find a way to do another one."

Jared Leto arrives at the premiere of Disney's "Tron: Ares" at TCL Chinese Theatre on October 06, 2025 in Hollywood, California.
Maya Dehlin Spach/WireImage via Getty Images

For her part, Turner-Smith said that she wouldn't be in "TRON: Ares" if it hadn't been for Leto.

"He gave me such great advice in my audition and was so supportive," she said. "It's exciting to be a part of a film that he's loved since he was a child."

According to a synopsis for the film, "'TRON: Ares' follows a highly sophisticated Program, Ares, who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind's first encounter with A.I. beings." 

The film is directed by Joachim Rønning.

"TRON: Ares" arrives in theaters Oct. 10, 2025.

Disney is the parent company of ABC, ABC News and "Good Morning America."

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