‘Tron: Ares’ delayed as director criticizes ‘extremely frustrating’ strike

Throne: Ares Director Joachim Rønning took to Instagram to provide an update on the highly anticipated sequel and express his frustration over the SAG-AFTRA strike, which has delayed the start of the Disney film.

Norwegian director (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil) revealed that the production would begin filming this week and instead had to lay off 150 crew members. Rønning teased that the film would have an AI-centric storyline (much like the two previous films, to varying degrees). While supporting the goals of the work stoppage, he also urged both sides to resolve their differences.

“We make deals for breakfast,” Rønning wrote. “Why do we suddenly have all the time in the world when every day is so precious? These tactics are extremely frustrating.”

Here are Rønning’s full comments:

“The absolute best moments of my career were watching an actor perform in front of the camera, taking the scene and the lyrics to the next level. I’ve been lucky enough to work with great talent. It’s a big part of why I’m a filmmaker. But like me, being an actor or a writer means being a freelancer. And I can tell you, the constant uncertainty is not for everyone. Therefore, it does not seem unreasonable to me 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 AI needs to be regulated. There is no doubt about the threat technology poses to all creatives.

Today would be our first day of principal photography on TRON: ARES (a film that then goes on to talk about AI and what it means and requires to be human). Instead, we will be shut down and more than 150 people will be laid off. It is indefinite, which makes it exponentially more difficult for everyone. The AMPTP, SAG-AFTRA and WGA should speed up the negotiation process and not leave the table until it is done. This is Hollywood. We make 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 is time for diplomacy so that we can get back to work – on terms that are fair to all.”

The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to Disney and a Rønning representative for comment.

Throne: Ares stars Jared Leto as a new character in the franchise, Ares. The logline says that the movie “shows Ares, Leto’s computer program, on a journey from the digital world to the human.” Sources previously told The Hollywood Reporter that the new movie will spend more time in the real world. Jesse Wigutow and Jack Thorne’s script would focus on a sentient program transitioning into the human world not ready for contact.

The film also stars Evan Peters, Jodie Turner-Smith, Greta Lee and Cameron Monaghan. Throne: Ares has been described as a sequel to the 2010 film Tron Legacybut it is not yet known if franchise star Jeff Bridges, or legacy players Olivia Wilde and Garrett Hedlund, appear.