Greta Lee’s career has been defined by versatility, from her nuanced performance in the Oscar-nominated Past Lives to her comedic timing in Russian Doll. But with Tron: Ares, the third film in Disney’s neon-soaked sci-fi franchise, Greta Lee steps into completely new territory: a visual effects-heavy blockbuster that demands both emotional grounding and technical precision. As Eve Kim, the visionary CEO of ENCOM and a brilliant programmer chasing the elusive “Permanence Code,” Lee carries much of the film’s heart while navigating the spectacle of the digital frontier.
Preparing for a role of this magnitude was no small feat. In a recent interview with BGN, Lee revealed that she leaned on the advice of trusted peers in the industry — notably Academy Award winner Brie Larson and The Acolyte showrunner Leslye Headland. Both women brought their unique expertise to the table, offering Lee guidance on how to adapt her craft to the technical challenges of a film like Tron: Ares.
Larson, who herself has navigated the demands of Marvel’s Captain Marvel and other blockbuster projects, shared tips about working in CGI-driven environments. Lee described their exchange as “life-changing,” as Larson helped demystify the physical and mental preparation required when acting with little more than green screens, motion capture setups, and markers as stand-ins for other characters or objects. Larson’s insights underscored the importance of grounding performance in imagination and precision, even when the actor’s surroundings feel abstract or stripped down.
Equally invaluable was Headland’s perspective. As the creator and showrunner of The Acolyte, a Star Wars series steeped in world-building and technical spectacle, Headland knows firsthand the balance between character-driven storytelling and the logistical realities of visual effects. For Lee, Headland’s advice reinforced the idea that at its core, the work is always about returning to basics — emotional truth, intention, and discipline — regardless of the size of the canvas. Headland encouraged Lee to approach Tron: Ares with the same integrity she brings to more intimate projects, reminding her that the heart of acting doesn’t change, even if the tools do.
Lee admitted that she had never acted in such a VFX-intensive production before, describing it as “target practice,” where she had only seconds to execute precise, technical beats against tennis balls or pieces of tape standing in for futuristic machinery and digital characters. Far from being overwhelmed, she embraced the challenge, calling the process “fun” and transformative. She noted that what she learned on Tron: Ares is something she’ll carry forward into future projects.
What emerges from Lee’s reflections is a portrait of an artist unafraid to grow, experiment, and learn from her peers. With Larson offering practical wisdom from her Marvel experience, and Headland grounding her in fundamentals honed on Star Wars, Lee has bridged her indie roots with blockbuster demands. As Eve Kim in Tron: Ares, she not only anchors the narrative but also represents a new phase of her career — one where technical mastery and emotional depth intersect.
Tron: Ares premieres in theaters October 10th
