Tron: Ares Director Revs Up Franchise with Daring Real-World Light Cycle Stunts

When director Joachim Rønning joined the production of "Tron: Ares," the third installment in Disney's sci-fi series, he knew the light cycle sequences had to be the centerpiece. As a longtime fan of the franchise, Rønning was determined to deliver an action set piece that would captivate audiences.

To achieve this, the filmmakers opted for a bold approach, taking the light cycles out of the digital grid and onto the streets of Vancouver. This presented new logistical challenges, as Rønning's team had to shut down 10 city blocks at a time to film the high-speed chases. However, the director saw this as an opportunity to create a fresh, grounded take on the iconic vehicles.