Video:Tron Legacy-Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund & Olivia Wilde
with Rebecca Murray'Tron' star Jeff Bridges is back in action in 'Tron Legacy,' the sequel to Walt Disney Pictures' groundbreaking film. At the 2009 San Diego Comic Con, Bridges joined 'Tron Legacy' stars Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde to talk about the new 'Tron.'See Transcript
Transcript:Tron Legacy-Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund & Olivia Wilde
Walt Disney Pictures' Tron Legacy at the 2009 San Diego Comic Con.
Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, and Olivia Wilde - Tron Legacy
How has the world of Tron changed from the original film to what we're going to see in this movie?
Jeff Bridges: "It's advanced. It's more advanced, you know? Back in those days we had no personal computers, no internet. And of course today we have all that. It was cutting edge back in those days, and this new Tron is going to be cutting edge for today."
And how has it changed for you?
Jeff Bridges: "We have a lot more... Funnier enough, we have a lot more practical sets in this version. There is a lot of blue screen and that sort of thing, but there's also practical sets. The idea is to the audience be able to tell which is CGI and which is the real set."
People really love the first movie still, so how does this one live up to it and make it even better?
Jeff Bridges: "A lot more eye candy than the first one, it's going to be just wonderful to see all of these effects and everything. But like I was saying, it kind of goes beyond that. You have, I think, Joe Kosinski the director did a wonderful job of building actual practical sets and then using live action. There's a lot of wonderful athletes that were involved in our movie doing these great stunts. It's not just a cartoon person doing it, it's real people and that gives it a different kind of quality than other 3-D, CGI movies."
Why do you think movies like Tron and science fiction in general fascinate people from all over the world?
Olivia Wilde: "I think Tron has got the universal theme of discovering this universe that is the internet, on a certain level. We have over the past 30 years since the first film was made completely integrated cyberspace into our every day lives. We're carrying it around in our pockets and in our cars at every moment. It begs the question, 'How much has technology become stronger than us and how much do we rely on technology? Is it in or out of our control?' And I think that's something that everybody around the world is experiencing, not just Americans. And so I think that's why it resonates with everyone and that's what made the first one so powerful. What's interesting about making it now is that that question is even more relevant, I think. Everyone's very interested in it and it's a common theme, so I think that's why."
What do you think the appeal of Tron is that it's kept it over 25 years, that it's now worthy of a sequel?
Jeff Bridges: "When the first one came out we didn't have the technology we have today. There was no internet, there was no personal computers, and now we've got all of these great tools. But when you finally get down to it, it's the guy behind the tool that really makes the difference. And we have a wonderful artist in Joe Kosinski, who was our leader. He did a great job. His first movie which leads you to believe that this has got some great balls. Walt, his courage is still alive in that place because they had faith in this guy that he had the goods. I think he certainly did."
The original was so ahead of its time. How do you keep the vibe of the old movie but also be [new] this time?
Garrett Hedlund: "I think technology sort of surprises you day by day. The way the computer and technology has advanced ever since the early '80s is, in a way, in a small way how this film's advanced. There's been surprises every day."
Jeff Bridges: "Another way that we've kept the spirit of the first one is that Steven Lisberger, the writer and director of the original, was very much involved in this from the stories to helping us actors and director. Everybody was very open to his involvement."
Did you ever think there would be a sequel to the original Tron 27 years later?
Jeff Bridges: "I thought there might be. Over the years there's been rumors of a script floating around. Disney, very wisely I think, didn't pull the trigger until all the elements were in place. We have a good story and they found a guy like Joe to direct it."
How do you feel about being the new Tron and maybe doing more sequels?
Olivia Wilde: "Well, it is a tremendous responsibility and we don't take it lightly. It was a huge honor. But we felt it every day when we were up there that we had something great to live up to. I feel like we did. I feel like we all kind of paid homage to this amazing first film and took it to another level. It was really exciting to be a part of that."