Tron: Ares Cast Reveal Which Video Games They’d Survive — From Minecraft to Frogger

The cast and director of Tron: Ares recently answered which video games they think they could survive in, and their answers are straightforward: each chose a familiar title and explained why. Below you’ll find who said what, which game they picked, and a short, objective take on their chances inside those virtual worlds.

1. Introduction
2. Greta Lee — Eve Kim
3. Evan Peters — Julian Dillinger
4. Gillian Anderson — Elisabeth Dillinger
5. Joachim Rønning — Director
6. Jared Leto — Ares
7. Release and media

Introduction

The original 1982 film Tron takes place inside a computer world where programs compete in deadly games, and later films returned to that neon environment. For example, some hazards from the Grid include jetwalls and arena fights. In the new film Tron: Ares, programs still battle on corporate servers, and virtual vehicles and machines sometimes appear in the real world as well; see the entry for Recognizers for one example.

Greta Lee — Eve Kim

Role: Greta Lee plays Eve Kim, CEO of ENCOM, who seeks the so-called “permanence code.”

Game she named: Minecraft. She said, “My kids are really into Minecraft,” and added, “I would never want them to know this, but [Minecraft] is so cool, the worlds that they build. I think I would want to go onto one of the worlds that they’ve built. My youngest has built this one with animals — it’s just filled with parrots, because he loves parrots.”

Chance of survival (objective summary): High. In a sandbox like Minecraft, survival depends on basic resource use and avoiding hostile mobs, and spending time in player-built, peaceful areas reduces risk.

Evan Peters — Julian Dillinger

Role: Evan Peters plays Julian Dillinger, head of Dillinger Systems and grandson of the original film’s antagonist.

Game he named: BioShock (and he also referenced Fallout 3 and Fallout 4). He said, “I would definitely lose in the [Disc Arena],” and, “It’s such a good video game, it’s the best. BioShock, Fallout 3 and 4, amazing post-apocalyptic worlds in Fallout, and BioShock is an underground, decrepit dystopia.”

Chance of survival (objective summary): Low. Both BioShock and the Fallout games feature hostile environments, limited resources, and powerful enemies; surviving requires combat skill, resource management, and adaptation to harsh conditions.

Gillian Anderson — Elisabeth Dillinger

Role: Gillian Anderson plays Elisabeth Dillinger, Julian’s mother and former CEO of Dillinger Systems.

Game she named: Pong. Anderson said, “Pong,” despite her earlier familiarity with other interactive media; see her transcript from a past interview for context: this transcript.

Chance of survival (objective summary): Moderate. Pong is abstract and minimal; survival depends on how rules are applied in a hypothetical Grid version (for example, whether missing a volley is fatal).

Joachim Rønning — Director

Role: Joachim Rønning directed Tron: Ares; his film credits include large-scale studio movies.

Game he named: Tomb Raider. He said, “I’m a kid of the ’80s, so I was into the Commodore 64 and the Atari, but the first game that got to me was the very first Tomb Raider on PlayStation,” and, “Being a movie guy — it was the first game that was so immersive, it was physical. I’m not sure that’s the game I would actually want to be in, but that was my first amazing experience, at least.”

Chance of survival (objective summary): Low to moderate. Tomb Raider environments include traps, wildlife, and platforming challenges; cinematic awareness can help detect danger, but physical demands are high.

Jared Leto — Ares

Role: Jared Leto plays Ares, a program designed as a super-soldier who can be 3D reprinted for combat.

Game he named: Frogger. He said, “I would have to say Frogger,” and added, “Because I’ve spent a lot of time in New York — and LA, which might be even more dodgy — but I have the skills. I have a lot of practice [crossing the street].”

Chance of survival (objective summary): Moderate. Real-world street-crossing experience maps to parts of Frogger, but the game also requires precise timing on moving platforms over water and other hazards.