Bruce Boxleitner aka the iconic TRON -- celebrated his 62nd Birthday on Saturday, May 12th, 2012... serendipitously and fittingly enough at a media event for the premiere of the new animated series TRON: UPRISING.
Here's a video I shot of the surprise reveal of a TRON-themed birthday cake for Bruce -- along with his fellow cast and colleagues of TRON: UPRISING congratulating him and singing "Happy Birthday" -- amongst them: Actors & Actress: Elijah Wood (Beck), Tricia Helfer (The Grid), Nate Corddry (Zed), Justin Springer (Co-Producer of TRON: LEGACY & Associate Producer of TRON: UPRISING), Adam Horowitz & Eddy Kitsis (Writers of TRON: LEGACY & Writers/Associate Producers of TRON: UPRISING), Daniel Simon (Vehicle Designer of TRON: LEGACY & TRON: UPRISING), Charlie Bean (Director and Executive Producer of TRON: UPRISING), and Eric Coleman (Senior Vice President, Original Series, Disney Television Animation).
Also in attendance was the man who started it all -- Steven Lisberger -- director and co-writer of the first TRON movie, and a producer on TRON: LEGACY. Lisberger was also a consultant on this first ever TRON TV series.
Click here to view the entire, exciting premiere prologue episode of the new TRON: UPRISING animated series -- the series will begin on Disney's X D channel on June 7th.
- Jay West
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Here is the fantastic new TRON: UPRISING prologue series special -- "Beck's Beginning" -- in its entirety.
This transcends being "just" a TV series -- this is feature quality -- and epic!
TRON: UPRISING is smart, stunning, and PURE TRON!
I attended a TRON: UPRISING press event this weekend and chatted with the cast, director, writers, producers, and musical composer of the series -- and will be posting video interviews with them leading up to the series June 7th debut on the Disney X D channel.
This incredible prologue special will also have a presentation on The Disney Channel on May 18th.
Also click here for a look at character bios and vehicles seen in the series!
- Jay West
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It's almost here... here's a full line-up of premiere activity and viewing options for the new, highly anticipated TRON: UPRISING animated series. - Jay West
Disney X D PREMIERES "TRON: UPRISING,"
A VISUALLY STRIKING ANIMATED SERIES FEATURING
A NEW HERO BATTLING FOR FREEDOM ON THE GRID
Prelude "TRON: Uprising, Beck's Beginning"
Premieres Friday, May 18 on Disney Channel;
Series Premieres Thursday, June 7 on Disney X D
Disney X D delves inside the computer world of The Grid and the people who live there with "TRON: Uprising," a visually striking new animated television series that follows the heroic journey of a new character, a young program named Beck, who becomes the unlikely leader of a revolution. The series, produced in CG animation with a 2D aesthetic, is set in the era of "TRON" between the stories in the 1982 feature film and Walt Disney Studios' "TRON: Legacy." Disney Channel will present "TRON: Uprising, Beck's Beginning," a 30-minute uninterrupted prelude to the series on FRIDAY, MAY 18 (9:30– 10:00 p.m., ET/PT). The special will encore uninterrupted on Disney X D on MONDAY, MAY 21(7:00 p.m. ET/PT), followed by the series launch on THURSDAY, JUNE 7 (9:00 p.m.) on Disney X D.
"TRON: Uprising" stars Elijah Wood as Beck, Bruce Boxleitner as Tron, Mandy Moore as Mara, Emmanuelle Chriqui as Paige, Nate Corddry as Zed, Lance Henriksen as General Tesler, Reginald VelJohnson as Able, Paul Reubens as Pavel and Tricia Helfer as The Grid.
Produced by Disney Television Animation, the series is executive-produced and directed by Charlie Bean ("Robotboy," "Samurai Jack" and "Powerpuff Girls") with Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz (both screenwriters of "TRON: Legacy" / executive producers of ABC's "Lost" and "Once Upon a Time") and Justin Springer (co-producer of "TRON: Legacy") as consulting producers. The music is composed by Joseph Trapanese ("TRON: Legacy").
"TRON: Uprising, Beck's Beginning" introduces Beck, a young mechanic living in Argon City, a growing metropolis in a far off corner of The Grid that has just been occupied by General Tesler, a henchman of the notorious Clu. After his best friend Bodhi is ruthlessly derezzed by Clu's army, Beck seeks justice for his lost friend and launches a crusade against the regime. His rebellion captures the attention of Tron, the greatest warrior The Grid has ever known, who sees the potential in Beck and trains him to be his successor. Labeled with the moniker of The Renegade, Beck sparks a revolution to fight for the freedom of The Grid.
The multiplatform premiere schedule is as follows:
Monday, April 30
(9:00 p.m., ET/PT) - Disney X D will debut the official trailer for "TRON: Uprising" during the series premiere of "Motorcity" and online at DisneyX D.com.
Friday, May 11
"TRON: Uprising, Beck's Beginning" will be released on Disney Channel and Disney X D On Demand.
Sunday, May 13
"TRON: Uprising, Beck's Beginning" will be available on YouTube via Disney X D's Facebook Page.
Monday, May 14
"TRON: Uprising, Beck's Beginning" will be available on iTunes as a free download.
Tuesday, May 15
Disney X D.com launches a new side-scrolling adventure-puzzle game, "Escape from Argon City," in which players help Beck master his light disc throwing skills to defeat General Tesler's army.
Friday, May 18
(9:30 p.m., ET/PT) - "TRON: Uprising, Beck's Beginning" airs uninterrupted on Disney Channel.
Directly following the linear premiere, Disney X D.com will launch a new interactive video and gaming activity that invites users to immerse themselves in the world of TRON; the special will be split down into 10 micro-episodes in which users take on the role of Beck and help him fight to become the next hero of The Grid.
Monday, May 21
(7:00 p.m., ET/PT) "TRON: Uprising, Beck's Beginning" airs uninterrupted on Disney X D.
Thursday, June 7
(9:00 p.m., ET/PT) - "TRON: Uprising" Series Premiere on Disney X D
In the premiere episode, "The Renegade Part 1," Beck's training with Tron is interrupted when he's captured by a Recognizer patrol and sent to the Coliseum to fight in the games. There Beck meets a fellow prisoner Cutler, a fierce warrior program who has been inspired by The Renegade's actions. Recharged by their shared passion for freedom, Beck and Cutler fight their way out of the deadly disc games. Meanwhile, Zed and Mara head out for night on the town, but run into trouble when an enchanted Zed is lured away by Perl (voiced by Kate Mara), a program from the wrong side of the tracks.
Directly following the premiere on air, "The Renegade Part 2" will be available on Disney X D.com, along with a new game, "Renegade Strike," where users take on the identity of The Renegade and defend The Grid from Clu and General Tesler.
Friday, June 8
Following the premiere, "TRON: Uprising" will be showcased via Disney X D on Demand, Disney X D.com, Disney X D Mobile, Sony Playstation, Xbox Live and iTunes.
You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!
A special, uninterrupted preview of the new TRON: UPRISING series will be shown on The Disney Channel on May 18th at 9:30/8:30c.
Here's a great looking, new promotional video showcasing never before seen footage and additional information about the series.
TRON: UPRISING features a fantastic, fan favorite cast: the voices of Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings), Emmanuelle Chriqui (Entourage, ThunderCats), Mandy Moore (Tangled), Nate Corddry (Harry's Law), Lance Henriksen (Aliens, Millennium), Paul Reubens ("Pee-wee Herman"), Reginald VelJohnson (Family Matters, Die Hard) and TRON himself, Bruce Boxleitner (TRON, Babylon 5).
TRON: UPRISING is a combination of 2-D and computer-generated animation, and takes place between the original TRON and TRON: LEGACY movies, explaining how it came to be that Clu assumed control of the Grid. A new hero named Beck (Wood) threatens Clu's dominance and clashes with the evil General Tesler (Henriksen).
This highly anticipated series is set to make its debut on Disney's X D channel on June 7th.
- Jay West
You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!
Here's new, fantastic TRON: UPRISING preview footage. The highly stylized animation and the synergy of both the look and vibe of both TRON and TRON: LEGACY continue to look fantastic -- all the while with UPRISING parlaying its own signature visuals and elements into the TRON world.
This new animated TV series will debut on Disney's X D channel in June.
- Jay West
You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!
Jean Giraud "Moebius" -- the famed, French artistic genius behind great conceptual and pre-production artwork from films such as "Alien" (1979), "Blade Runner" (1982), and of course "Tron" (1982) -- along with being the co-creator of the "Heavy Metal" fantasy illustrated magazine (launched first in 1974 as the French magazine: "Métal Hurlant") and a prolific comic illustrator, has now died at the age of 73. Giraud had been battling cancer, and passed the early morning of March 10th.
Steven Lisberger, the writer-director of the original "Tron," spoke to Geoff Boucher of the LA Times Hero Complex the day of Giraud's passing regarding the special collaboration that they shared -- Lisberger said:
"It’s one thing to be talented and work hard enough to put your spirit and soul in your work and it’s a totally other thing to have a spirit and soul that is so beautiful and wise that it deserves to put into art. Jean ‘Moebius’ Giraud was a very rare man, a true master and his life’s work is a masterpiece. It was a privilege to be his friend, it was heaven to work with him. When I saw him last year he told me that working on ‘Tron’ I made him feel like family and he would never forget that. I won’t either."
Here's a rare, French language video from 1982 where Giraud discusses the making of "Tron":
In April 2011, Geoff Boucher also posted what may have been Giraud's last major interview.
Rest In Peace Giraud -- thank you for your incredible and timeless works of wonder.
- Jay West
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The original TRON celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year!
Here's a 1982 featurette about the making of the original film -- heralding the breakthrough CGI (computer generated imagery) that TRON brought to cinema -- featuring Writer/Director Steven Lisberger and Co-Visual Effects Supervisor Richard Taylor.
- Jay West
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Here's new and exciting footage from the upcoming TRON: UPRISING TV animated series -- currently set to debut on Disney's X D channel in April 2012 -- featuring TRON (Bruce Boxleitner), Beck (Elijah Wood), and Mara (Mandy Moore).
The highly stylized animation looks incredible -- making for a perfect setting to explore the fantasy/sci-fi world of TRON in. It's ironic and fitting that TRON is finally getting the animated treatment -- as the original 1982 TRON movie was first conceived and planned as an animated feature film.
This footage comes to us from a new Disney X D "Coming in 2012" reel -- which showcases upcoming series that will soon be making their debut on the channel, as well as new episodes for previous series:
New series:
- TRON: UPRISING
- Ultimate Spiderman
- Motorcity
- Lab Rats
New episodes of:
- Kickin' it
- Pair of Kings
- Kick Buttowski
- Jay West
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Happy Birthday to the enormously talented actor, photographer, and artist: Jeff Bridges --
aka uber-cool "User" Kevin Flynn -- who turns 62 today!
Jeff Bridges is also an incredible humanitarian. Click here to learn more about his "End Hunger Network" charity which is working to end childhood hunger in the United States -- and how you can help.
- Jay West
 
You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!
Japanese car manufacturers Toyota have now unveiled the "Fun-Vii" -- a futuristic interactive concept car that features a touchscreen door -- with TRON like design and aesthetics: resembling an automobile version of the TRON: LEGACY styled light cycle coupled with TRON blue circuitry when in certain modes. The Fun-Vii -- which stands for "vehicle interactive internet" -- made its debut Monday at the Tokyo Motor Show at the Tokyo Big Sight in Koto Ward, Tokyo.
You can post your thoughts and comments about this by clicking here!
- Jay West
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