A special video for "Tron: Ares" (directed by Joachim Rønning, to be released simultaneously in Japan and the US on October 10th), the latest installment in the "Tron" series of American films, starring the comedy duo "Korokoro Chiki Chiki Peppers (Korochiki)," was released on October 7th.
Known as the world's first feature-length film to fully utilize computer graphics (CG), the American film "Tron" (1982, directed by Steven Lisberger) became a social phenomenon, depicting the genius programmer Kevin Flynn, who is sent into a digital world to take on a life-or-death game. Eighteen years later, in 2010, the sequel "Tron: Legacy" (directed by Joseph Kosinski) was released, captivating many fans with its cutting-edge visuals at the time, centered around Kevin's son, Sam, and a dazzling pale neon glow.
In the latest film, "Tron: Ares," the first in 15 years, Ares (played by Jared Leto), the most powerful humanoid AI soldier in the real world, is developed. He is the ultimate soldier, endowed with overwhelming strength and superior intelligence, but he can only "survive" in the real world for 29 minutes. In their quest for "eternity," the AI soldiers go out of control, and the digital world begins to encroach on the real world. Then, something strange happens to Ares, who learns about "humans" in the real world. Will Ares really become the savior of humanity? This is the story.
To commemorate the release of "Tron: Ares," a video has been released in which Korochiki performs a one-liner joke devised by AI. Nadal, dressed in the Tron suit worn by the AI soldiers in the film, also shared a short skit inspired by the film. Korochiki has posted several videos involving AI on their YouTube channel, including one in which they perform a one-liner joke devised by AI in front of an audience, just like this one. Given that this film sees AI invading the real world, the two members of Korochiki were chosen to perform the joke. Behind the duo performing their skit in the video is a "Lightcycle" motorcycle, which appears throughout the "Tron" series, and Nadal's huge motorcycle enthusiast is said to have also inspired the idea for this project.
Ares, the AI soldier that appears in "Tron: Ares," is an ultimate soldier specialized in combat, thinking and acting with overwhelming speed, and regenerating no matter how many times he is defeated. In the newly released footage, Nadal is dressed as an AI soldier, standing in front of an outdoor audience, excitedly shouting, "AI's jokes are so funny!" Next to him, his partner, Sōto Nishino, asks the AI to create a one-liner joke. Nadal performs the completed joke with great enthusiasm, but the audience's reaction is lukewarm... Nadal self-deprecatingly declares, "It's a total flop," before uttering his signature line, "AI is awesome!"
In this film, the AI soldier can only "survive" in the real world for 29 minutes. The two also perform a short comedy skit that makes use of this premise. When Nadal, who seems dejected, says, "I've become an AI soldier," Nishino asks, "Why did that happen?" to which he firmly replies, "Of course it's to promote the movie 'Tron: Ares'! That's the kind of thing I do in my private life!" Nadal, a motorcycle enthusiast, even makes a joke by straddling the tires of a light cycle backwards, prompting Nishino to chime in. "The light cycle is so cool! I love motorcycles, so I accepted the offer. I became an AI soldier," Nadal says. Nishino then reveals a shocking fact: "Apparently, the AI soldier in this film disappears after 29 minutes." Surprised, Nadal confidently replies, "Well, I'm not going to disappear in the entertainment industry!"
In an interview after the shoot, Nishino expressed her gratitude, saying, "I'm grateful that they provided us with cool costumes and bikes," while Nadal reflected on the harsh conditions of filming, where he was exposed to direct sunlight and sweating, saying, "Normally I would have lost my temper, but I love 'Tron: Ares' so I shouted at the top of my lungs!"
When asked about an AI-related episode in relation to the film, Nishino said, "I heard a story about a student at a comedy school who used material created by AI to climb the school's rankings. Times are changing, I think." After watching the trailer for the film, Nishino expressed his expectations, saying, "The visual technology is so cool, and the Disney castle dyed red was something I'd never seen before, so I was excited from the start." Nadal said, "I'm looking forward to this film using the development of AI and technology. We did a lot of AI gags, but they all fell flat, so I really hope they show the power of AI in the main story!!" He reflected on the material and gave his support to "Tron: Ares."
