Tron: Uprising (stylized as TRON: Uprising) is an American animatedscience fiction television series. Set in the Tronfictional universe, the series takes place between the events of the films Tron (1982) and Tron: Legacy (2010).
A total of 19 episodes were produced and aired
on Disney XD in the United States from May 18, 2012, to January 28, 2013.[2][3][4] The series was mainly directed by Charlie Bean, who also acted as executive producer, while Justin Springer, Edward Kitsis, and Adam Horowitz served as consulting producers.[5]
Synopsis
Beck is a young program who becomes the leader of a revolution inside the computer world of the Grid against the villainous Clu and his henchmen. A mechanic, he is trained by Tron, the greatest warrior the Grid has ever known. Tron not only trains Beck in the fighting and light cycle skills to challenge the brutal military occupation of the city of Argon, but also guides and mentors him to grow beyond his youthful, impulsive nature into a courageous and powerful leader. Beck adopts Tron's persona and becomes the enemy of General Tesler and his oppressive forces.[6][7]
Characters
Mains
Beck (voiced by Elijah Wood) is the protagonist of the series. Beck is a young program who leads a revolution against Clu. He is trained by Tron and he challenges the evil forces of Tesler and Clu. Beck is referred to by the public as "Tron" and "the Renegade".
Tron (voiced by Bruce Boxleitner) is the original protector of the Grid, Tron was supposedly killed by Clu. However, Tron survived that battle with injuries. Unable to protect the Grid, Tron sought out a new protector and found Beck, whom he vowed to train. In "Scars", it is revealed Dyson also scarred the left side of his face. He is later fully healed in "Terminal"
Mara (voiced by Mandy Moore) is a co-worker and one of Beck's friends at Able's Garage. Saved early in the series by Beck, Mara becomes one of the most dedicated, and optimistic believers in Tron's return and the Renegade's actions, often supporting him openly and questioning the official news reports painting the Renegade as a terrorist.
Zed (voiced by Nate Corddry) is a co-worker and friend of Beck's at Able's Garage. Due to his long-standing romantic interest in Mara, Zed becomes jealous of her fanatical support of the Renegade and becomes opposed to the extreme actions being taken against the established regime. Beck often makes this worse by taking advantage of Zed while acting as the Renegade, reinforcing Zed's ill-feelings.
General Tesler (voiced by Lance Henriksen) is Clu's henchman and the main antagonist of the series. Tesler was originally tasked with eliminating rumours of Tron's survival and suppressing reports of Tron's return. He rarely participates in action directly, but when he does has shown himself to be a capable combatant and tactician.
Paige (voiced by Emmanuelle Chriqui) is a young program who is one of Tesler's field commanders. While hardened and dedicated, she is less antagonistic than Tesler and takes a personal interest in the new "Tron". Originally a medical program, Paige volunteered to be reformatted as a soldier after surviving what she believed to be an ISO attack, unaware that the killings she witnessed were done under Tesler's orders.
Able (voiced by Reginald VelJohnson) is the owner of Able's Garage (which is the best repair shop in Argon City). Able is fully aware that Tron is still alive, and is one of the first to discover Beck's double life. While not openly supporting Beck, Able often allows him leeway from his regular duties and covers for Beck's absences from work. In "No Bounds", he is killed by Cyrus, when the bomb he took off of Zed and Mara got reactivated.
Pavel (voiced by Paul Reubens) is Tesler's second-in-command. Although Pavel has been with Tesler far longer than Paige, his sadistic tendencies and lack of finesse often leads to Paige being given duties which require a more positive public image. This has led Pavel's loyalty to Tesler to be stretched, as well as damaging his working relationship with Paige.
The Grid (voiced by Tricia Helfer) is the unique main setting of the Tron universe.
Recurring
Clu (voiced by Fred Tatasciore) is the updated version of the original Clu from the original Grid, he was created by Kevin Flynn (the creator of the Grid). Clu betrayed Flynn and Tron then took over the Grid.
Tatasciore also voices Kevin Flynn (Clu's original user) in episode 9 "Scars Part 1".
Bartik (voiced by Donald Faison) is a program who joined a task force formed by Paige to hunt down the Renegade. He and his friend Hopper are shown sometimes picking on Zed and some of the workers. In "Terminal", he and Hopper later decided to switch sides and protect the Renegade after witnessing the workers stand up to Pavel.
Hopper (voiced by Paul Scheer) is a program who joined a task force formed by Paige to hunt down the Renegade. He is Bartik's friend, like Bartik, he sometimes picks on Zed and some of the workers. IN "Terminal", he and Bartik later decided to switch sides and protect the Renegade after witnessing the workers stand up to Pavel.
Dyson (voiced by John Glover) is a former friend turned traitor of Tron. Dyson betrayed Tron by joining Clu's army and he is now Clu's highest and most dangerous operative.
Perl (voiced by Kate Mara) is a female member of a criminal gang who lures Zed into bringing her into Able's Garage, where she stole the ENCOM 786 lightcycle. She was later arrested by Paige.
Cyrus (voiced by Aaron Paul) is Tron's first official Renegade. After Tron was beaten by Dyson, Cyrus stepped in to save Tron. Cyrus then became the first "Renegade" before Beck. However, he believed that in order to free the grid, he should destroy it. Tron, upset that Cyrus saw things differently, imprisoned Cyrus in a crack in the grid, provided by Able. Cyrus then meets up with Beck and explains that he is the first renegade. Cyrus used Beck, along with himself, as battery power to thereby "freeing" the programs oppressed by Clu. He broke out of the compressed space, but fell back when Beck broke free. However, Cyrus escaped and caused havoc as the Renegade, blaming his crimes on Beck.
Keller (voiced by Marcia Gay Harden) is a scientific program initially employed by Tesler to brainwash the programs of Argon City into obeying Clu. When she witnesses the brutality of Tesler's regime and her brainwashing device is destroyed by the Renegade, she flees the city, pursued by Beck and Paige.
Cutler (voiced by Lance Reddick) is a veteran of the Isomorphic Algorithm (ISO) wars. He fought for the ISOs and wore an armband as a sign of his past. Cutler went to Argon City after hearing about the "Renegade". He returns in "Terminal", where it is revealed he was captured and repurposed by Clu.
Quorra (voiced by Olivia Wilde) is the last surviving ISO.[8]
Link (voiced by David Arquette) is a minor character who often appears in the background in major key events. He is a mechanic who works in Able's garage, and friend of Beck and Mara. He is quiet, and rather clumsy, causing accidents and irritation among his workplace. He is often ignored by his peers, and given menial tasks much to his frustration. He was once approached by Pavel, who easily manipulated him to falsely testify the identity of the "Renegade" in exchange for a vehicle. Despite this, he has shown admiration for the "Renegade", and is seen among the rebellion in the final episode.
Gorn (voiced by Kathryn Hunter) is a technician operating in Purgos, Argon City's ghetto. She specializes in erasing or modifying memories of various programs, and is often tasked with this by Pavel when he orchestrates a frame-up. Ultimately, she is herself mutilated and rendered mute in order to keep silent about Pavel's schemes.
After his city is invaded and a friend killed by Clu's soldiers, a young program named Beck takes the name of "Tron" and, aided by the real Tron, fights back. (31-minute prelude episode, initially produced as a 10-segment miniseries.)
2
"The Renegade, Part 1"
Charlie Bean
Story by : Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz Written by : Kamran Pasha & Adam Nussdorf & Bill Wolkoff
As Tron trains Beck, Beck begins to doubt that he can be the next Tron. While trying to evade security, Beck lands in a prison transport and is taken to the games. Meanwhile, Zed falls for a female named Perl and brings her to the garage to show her his work, where she steals Able's classic ENCOM 786.
Beck is sent by Tron to destroy an Occupation-manned energy drill causing power blackouts in Argon City before its destructive power destabilizes the Grid.
When Beck's identity disc is stolen on the Light Rail, his memory begins to unravel. Hoping to prevent permanent memory loss or identification as the Renegade, he and Tron go to Purgos, Argon City's closest neighbor, to recover it.
After stealing a valuable data cube from General Tesler's ship, Beck (as the Renegade) is chased by Paige over the Sea of Simulation. When they crash on a destabilized island, Paige reflects on the events that led her to becoming a soldier of the Occupation.
Beck intercepts a disk modification that enhances the physical abilities of any program who wears it, but it has some unfortunate side effects.
8
"The Reward"
Charlie Bean
Story by : André Bormanis Written by : Scott Nimerfro & André Bormanis
October 19, 2012 (2012-10-19)
N/A
When General Tesler offers a reward, as well as the lifting of Argon City's curfew, for the capture of the Renegade, programs all over Argon City began to falsely accuse each other.
9
"Scars, Part 1"
Charlie Bean
Bill Wolkoff
October 26, 2012 (2012-10-26)
N/A
Dyson, once Tron's lieutenant and now high-ranking in Clu's takeover, comes to Argon City to check up on Tessler.
10
"Scars, Part 2"
Charlie Bean
Bill Wolkoff
November 2, 2012 (2012-11-02)
N/A
Beck seeks to stop Tron from killing Dyson.
11
"Grounded"
Charlie Bean
Adam Nussdorf
December 3, 2012 (2012-12-03)
N/A
A furious Tesler publicly challenges the Renegade to appear in Argon Square and surrender himself, promising to free additional prisoners and end the curfew if he does so. Beck accepts the challenge and narrowly escapes capture. Able later reveals that he knows that Beck is the Renegade.
12
"We Both Know How This Ends"
Charlie Bean
Adam Nussdorf & Akela Cooper
December 10, 2012 (2012-12-10)
N/A
Able heads to the Outlands to confront Tron over his use of Beck as the Renegade, leaving Mara in charge of the garage.
13
"The Stranger"
Charlie Bean
Scott Nimerfro & Adam Nussdorf and Ryan Mottesheard
December 17, 2012 (2012-12-17)
N/A
On a trip to Gallium City through a storm, Beck discovers a one-way portal. He also learns that he wasn't the first program that Tron had trained as a renegade.
14
"Tagged"
Charlie Bean
Adam Nussdorf & Bill Wolkoff
December 24, 2012 (2012-12-24)
N/A
The Renegade recruits three programs who caught his attention by tagging the grid with the message, "Tron Lives." He discovers one of them is Mara.
Story by : Scott Nimerfro & Donna Thorland & Adam Prince Written by : Scott Nimerfro & Donna Thorland
January 7, 2013 (2013-01-07)
N/A
Beck tries to rescue a fleeing government scientist before Paige and the Occupation finds her; Paige and Beck become passengers on the same runaway train and Beck must save the innocent programs on the train without revealing his identity.
Beck and Paige go out on a date, and Paige begins to see Beck's views. Meanwhile, Pavel tests the augmentation boost, but Paige catches him, misconstruing Beck's advice. Tired of her interference, Pavel plots to get rid of Paige once and for all, while Beck decides that an appearance by the Renegade may finally win Paige over.
Story by : Scott Nimerfro & Donna Thorland Written by : Scott Nimerfro
January 21, 2013 (2013-01-21)
N/A
Cyrus, seeking revenge on Beck and Tron, impersonates the Renegade and kills an innocent program. With the city against him, Beck is forced to make the difficult choice of saving Tron or his friends.
19
"Terminal"
Charlie Bean
Scott Nimerfro & Adam Nussdorf & Donna Thorland
January 28, 2013 (2013-01-28)
N/A
Tron tells Beck that he is dying and that the only way to stop his illness is to use the Occupation's new super recognizer.
Director Charlie Bean explained 'the idea was to create a distinct style for the CG show not seen elsewhere on television or in film.'[18] He worked closely with art director Alberto Mielgo, character designer Robert Valley (animation artist for the Gorillaz music videos) and lead vehicle designer Daniel Simon, who was previously responsible for many vehicle designs in the Tron: Legacy feature film, including the light cycles.[19] Mielgo won the Primetime Emmy Award for his art direction in 2013.[20]
On January 14, 2013, producer Edward Kitsis responded to rumors of cancellation by stating, "I don't know what the future [of Tron: Uprising] is now. I know at the present, I can say we need more viewers."[21] Disney XD moved the program in the broadcast schedule to Monday mornings at 12:00 AM Eastern until the first season episodes finished airing on January 28, 2013. After the last episode of the first season aired, no more episodes of Tron: Uprising have been produced.
Release
Marketing
A trailer for the series, with a voice-over by Bruce Boxleitner, was released online in May 2012 (2012-05).[22] and on the home video releases of Tron: Legacy, on April 5, 2011 (2011-04-05).[17] Disney XD presented CGI models of characters, concept art, and the original trailer that was with the home releases of Tron: Legacy at San Diego Comic-Con in 2011.[23][24] Disney released the first, pre-season episode on May 18, 2012 (2012-05-18), in which the full 31-minute episode was featured on Disney XD on Demand, YouTube, Facebook, iTunes a week earlier. The prelude episode was broadcast only on Disney Channel, and was originally going to be a 10-part miniseries.
Netflix
On May 9, 2013, it was announced that Disney had reached an agreement with Netflix wherein Tron: Uprising would appear on the streaming service, however it was removed one year later.[25]
Disney+
The full series is available for streaming on Disney+, which released in November 2019.[26]
Music
TRON: Uprising (Music from and Inspired by the Series)
TRON: Uprising (Music from and Inspired by the Series) (2013)
Tron: Legacy – The Complete Edition (2020)
The series is scored by Joseph Trapanese, who arranged Daft Punk's score for Tron: Legacy.[2] A soundtrack album for the score was released digitally and manufacture on demand CD by Walt Disney Records on January 8, 2013 (2013-01-08).[27] Trapanese later digitally released two extended plays for the show featuring additional tracks not heard on the initial product: Tron: Uprising - Hero EP in 2015 and Tron: Uprising - Occupied EP in 2020.
