Disney has given the lead role in the sequel to Tron to a relatively unknown actor widely regarded in Hollywood as an up and comer, Garrett Hedlund (I notice in the Hollywood Reporter article that Hedlund made his big screen debut in Troy, so now it’s only one consonant of a difference for Tron). The 1982 original movie saw computer programmer Jeff Bridges zapped and sucked into a virtual world inside the computer system where he has to battle the nasty MCP (that’s Master Computer Programme, not Male Chauvinist Pig).
(Garrett Hedlund, photo borrowed from the IMDB entry)
The original may not have had the most daring plot or characters but it did feature some astonishing special effects and very early use of computer generated imagery and effects in a major movie. They may look somewhat crude compared to today’s seamlessly realistic CGI, but for 1982 they were quite eye-popping and gifted the film a unique visual look which I think is still eye-catching (and is reminiscent of early computer games of the period many of us fondly remember). Coincidentally Bruce Boxleitner also starred in the original; of course he would later star in JM Straczynski’s ground-breaking Babylon 5 series, which was also a pioneer in the use of CGI (Peter Jurasik, who would play Londo in Bab 5 also made an appearance).
Jeff Bridges will return to his original role as Kevin Flynn while the writer of the original film, Steven Lisberger will also be involved. After several mooted titles such as Tron 2 and Tr2n it now looks like they will simply be going with the same title as the original film, Tron; shooting is due to commence this spring. While the graphics will undoubtebly be more sophisticated than the 1982 version I wonder if it will have the same visual impact now we are spoiled with so much CGI richness? I now have an urge to listen to the 80s synth-heavy original Tron soundtrack and play a game of Lightcycles…
Wed, Jan 7, 2009
Film, TV and radio