With *Tron: Ares* underperforming in theaters, Disney might want to consider reviving other science fiction properties they own instead of continuing the *Tron* series. The new *Tron* film, released on October 10th, had a weak opening weekend, earning only $33.4 million domestically. This is significantly less than the $170 million earned by *Tron: Legacy* in 2010. Critics haven’t been kind either, giving the film a low 53% rating on Rotten Tomatoes as of today.
The latest *Tron* movie finished a disappointing beginning for the series, and according to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney is now considering ending the franchise altogether.
As a big fan of this sci-fi series, I’ve been following the attempts to bring it back for years! *Ares* is the second shot after *Legacy*, which came out over 15 years ago. I remember *Legacy* didn’t get the best reviews – it only scored 51% on Rotten Tomatoes, which was a low for the franchise – but it still did really well financially, making over $400 million worldwide.
With both *Tron* sequels underperforming, it’s becoming apparent that Disney needs to explore other options for big sci-fi hits. Fortunately, the studio has several promising franchises beyond Marvel and *Star Wars* that they could develop.
Joachim Rønning’s new film, Tron: Ares, blurs the line between the digital and real worlds when a dangerous program (played by Jared Leto) escapes from the virtual realm of The Grid and unleashes it upon reality. The movie stars Leto alongside Greta Lee, Cameron Monaghan, and Evan Peters.
7 Sci-Fi Franchises Disney Should Replace Tron With
Big Hero 6
Disney could have a major success on their hands with *Big Hero 6*. Released in 2014, the movie is inspired by the Marvel Comics team of the same name and follows Hiro Hamada and Baymax, his incredibly powerful, inflatable robot companion.
Despite being inspired by Marvel comics, *Big Hero 6* exists outside of the main Marvel Cinematic Universe. It tells a fresh, standalone superhero story set in a vibrant and thrilling world. With its charming characters, surprising plot twists, and exciting action, *Big Hero 6* has become a favorite among recent Disney animated films.
Even with all the continued interest, a sequel hasn’t been officially announced. Disney clearly recognizes the value of the story, as they’ve created several animated TV series and even themed a section of their California Adventure park after the film’s city, San Fransokyo. Still, fans haven’t gotten a second movie.
Disney has a lot of potential with *Big Hero 6* and could easily expand on its story if they choose to revisit that universe.
Witch Mountain
Some Disney fans might remember *Witch Mountain* – it’s actually one of the company’s oldest franchises! Disney often revisits older properties, so bringing *Witch Mountain* back seems like a natural fit.
The first *Witch Mountain* movie, *Escape to Witch Mountain*, came out in 1975. It tells the story of twin teenagers with hidden psychic abilities who are chased by the government. The original film led to two sequels and later, two attempts to remake it.
The last time audiences saw the series was in 2009, with a movie starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. Unfortunately, plans for a sequel never materialized, and the franchise faded away.
In 2019, Disney+ announced Bryce Dallas Howard would star in a new series based on *Witch Mountain*, but the project was ultimately cancelled. Why not revisit the idea, updating it with a modern feel similar to the *Tron* films, and bring it back for today’s viewers?
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Disney’s *20,000 Leagues Under the Sea* is a long-running science fiction favorite. The first film, based on Jules Verne’s classic novel, came out in 1954. It tells the story of a team of adventurers who journey to the ocean’s depths aboard the submarine Nautilus.
Disney briefly revisited the story in the 1970s with the sci-fi film *The Black Hole*, but since then, the *20,000 Leagues Under the Sea* franchise has been quiet. Disney hasn’t really acknowledged the story much over the years, offering only small nods to it – like hidden details in its parks – for dedicated fans.
A Disney+ series based on the original film was planned when the streaming service first launched, but it was ultimately cancelled, similar to what happened with the planned *Witch Mountain* project.
As a lifelong Disney fan, I really think the studio should revisit *20,000 Leagues Under the Sea*. It’s a classic that played a huge role in building Disney into the powerhouse it is today, and a new version – whether a remake, a sequel, or even a fresh take – would be a fantastic way to pay tribute to that legacy.
Atlantis
Calling all fans of the 2000s! Get ready to revisit *Atlantis*. At the start of the new millennium, Walt Disney Animation Studios decided to try something completely new: create a big, action-packed adventure movie. The result was *Atlantis: The Lost Empire*.
The 2001 movie followed Milo Thatch, a language expert and mapmaker, as he embarked on a grand quest to find the legendary lost city of Atlantis. A sequel was released on video in 2003, but since then, Disney has largely forgotten about *Atlantis*.
A dedicated group of Disney fans fondly remember *Atlantis* (along with films like *Treasure Planet* and *Lilo & Stitch*), and Disney could benefit from tapping into that nostalgia.
It’s still unknown what a new *Atlantis* movie would be like. Disney’s traditional 2D animation studio is closed, so any sequel would likely be created with 3D animation or as a live-action film.
Treasure Planet
When it comes to Disney franchises that have faded into obscurity, few are as completely forgotten as *Treasure Planet*. Released in 2002, this animated sci-fi take on the classic *Treasure Island* story was Disney’s second effort to create a more adventure-driven animated film.
Beyond its initial release in theaters, *Treasure Planet* has faded from public memory. Plans for a sequel, *Treasure Planet 2*, were once in development, and Willem Dafoe, known for his role in *Spider-Man*, was reportedly cast. Unfortunately, the project was cancelled due to the disappointing performance of the first film in theaters.
Look, if you’re a fan of *Treasure Planet*, you *really* love it. It’s become something of a cult favorite among Disney buffs like myself, and honestly, a lot of us are always hoping Disney will revisit that world and those characters again. It feels like they’ve kind of forgotten about Jim Hawkins in space, and that’s a shame!
Considering recent live-action remakes of classic Disney films, many have wondered if *Treasure Planet* could also be reimagined with today’s filmmaking technology.
Tomorrowland
In 2015, Disney created a science fiction movie called *Tomorrowland*, inspired by the popular area of the same name in its Disney Parks.
I recently saw this amazing film starring George Clooney. It’s about a young girl who somehow ends up in this incredible, futuristic city. Clooney plays a famous scientist who’s also a bit of an outsider himself, and he takes her under his wing. It’s a really captivating story!
Despite being highly anticipated, the movie *Tomorrowland* wasn’t a big success, earning just $209 million worldwide. This was surprising considering the talented team behind it. The script was written by Damon Lindelof, a co-creator of *Lost*, and it was directed by Brad Bird, who is famous for *The Incredibles*.
Even though the first *Tomorrowland* movie wasn’t a success, it still has potential for a sequel. The film had interesting concepts, a unique world, and featured well-known actors, making another attempt at a follow-up something that could be worthwhile.
The Rocketeer
As a movie fan, I’m really hoping we get another *Rocketeer* film – it’s currently in the works, though how far along that project is, is anyone’s guess! The original, released back in 1991, was a fantastic, sweeping sci-fi adventure about a superhero from the turn of the century who famously flew around with a rocket pack strapped to his back.
Back in 2012, Disney announced plans to remake the classic film *The Rocketeer*. Over the years, the idea evolved, and at one point, the story was going to focus on a new hero – a young Black woman – who would take on the role of the Rocketeer six years after the original movie’s events.
J.D. Dillard, the director of *Devotion*, was originally set to direct the project back in 2020. He later left the film in 2022, and that was the last update fans received about it.
This new superhero movie, set in the 1930s, might be a great fit for Disney. It could appeal to fans who enjoyed the more adult sci-fi themes of Tron, and it has the potential to succeed thanks to the current popularity of superhero films – something that wasn’t as strong when the original Tron came out.
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2025-10-17 21:08