Korean American actress Greta Lee, who earned critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination for her emotional performance in the 2023 film "Past Lives," is venturing into blockbuster territory with her starring role in Disney's highly anticipated sci-fi epic "Tron: Ares." The actress described her new role as a complete departure from her previous work, representing an exciting new challenge in her career.
"This movie and this character could not be more different than 'Past Lives,'" Lee explained during a press conference held at a Seoul theater on Monday. "I feel incredibly lucky that I have the privilege to play such a wide range of characters and different size movies. 'Tron' is arguably the biggest scale in terms of production value." The contrast between her intimate, quiet performance in "Past Lives" and the high-energy, action-packed nature of "Tron: Ares" showcases Lee's versatility as an actress.
Directed by Joachim Rønning, "Tron: Ares" serves as the third installment in the iconic franchise that first captivated audiences in 1982. The film follows the story of Ares, a highly advanced program portrayed by Jared Leto, who is sent from the digital world into the real world. This marks humanity's first encounter with an artificial intelligence being, creating a high-stakes crossover between digital and physical realms. Lee takes on the role of Eve Kim, a computer programmer who becomes a key figure in this groundbreaking encounter.
Despite playing a computer programmer, Lee's role demanded significant physical preparation and extensive stunt work, marking a dramatic shift from her previous projects. "It felt really good after 'Past Lives' to do something that was so physical, since 'Past Lives' was so intimate and so quiet," she shared with reporters. The actress elaborated on the physical demands of big-budget filmmaking, explaining, "[In big-budget blockbusters like 'Tron: Ares'] every take you do, you have to run like your life depends on it. You can train like an Olympic athlete, but Olympic athletes arguably don't have to do 20 takes where they're running as fast as they can."
As a Korean American actor leading a major Hollywood franchise, Lee acknowledged the significance of her casting while emphasizing that representation in Hollywood is an ongoing journey rather than a destination. "For me, I've been acting for a few decades now, and I've seen a tremendous amount of change within the industry in Hollywood. Things are different now," Lee observed. She expressed her willingness to embrace the responsibility that comes with such visibility, stating, "I take the pressure willingly."
When questioned about her approach to navigating between independent films and mainstream blockbusters, Lee revealed that her acting methodology remains consistent regardless of the project's scale or budget. "I really try to think about the humanity and the person," she explained. "This goes beyond different categories like being Korean or being Korean American or being a woman. I'm thinking about being a person." This character-focused approach allows her to maintain authenticity across diverse roles and genres.
Lee also expressed her enthusiasm about the global appreciation for Korean culture, describing it as deeply meaningful both personally and professionally. "It is a tremendous joy to see how beloved Korean culture, the music, fashion, art, cinema, all of it, how much has been embraced worldwide," she said. The actress called this international recognition "extremely validating" as both an artist and an individual, reflecting on how the cultural landscape has evolved during her career.
"Tron: Ares" is scheduled to hit theaters on October 8, promising audiences a visually spectacular return to the digital frontier that has captivated viewers for over four decades. Lee's involvement in this major franchise represents a significant milestone in her career and continues the trend of increased Asian American representation in leading Hollywood productions.
