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'Tron: Legacy' concept art (images)

Concept art from Disney's upcoming "Tron: Legacy." See the early mock-ups of characters, vehicles, and props.

Josh Lowensohn
Josh Lowensohn joined CNET in 2006 and now covers Apple. Before that, Josh wrote about everything from new Web start-ups, to remote-controlled robots that watch your house. Prior to joining CNET, Josh covered breaking video game news, as well as reviewing game software. His current console favorite is the Xbox 360.
Josh Lowensohn
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Grid city

"Tron: Legacy" opens in theaters in December, following the first "Tron" film by some 28 years. Disney has released a handful of concept images from the new movie showing characters, vehicles, and props.

Seen here is a mock-up of the new version of the grid city, which features a massive spire. On the top of the mile-high structure is a bar called the "End of the Line" club. Zooming toward it is one of the film's "recognizers"--a vehicle that seeks out rogue programs within the digital world.

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Rinzler

Rinzler, played by martial arts guru Anis Cheurfa, can split his data disc in half to use as two weapons.

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Sirens

The "sirens" within the world of "Tron: Legacy" are modeled after those found in Greek mythology.

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One of Clu's guards

Jeff Bridges' younger self in the film has his own security force. Seen here is a mock-up of the "lead guard."

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Quorra

According to Disney, Quorra (played by actress Olivia Wilde, pictured right), originally trained for her role in flat shoes and had to retrain for all her stunts in 4-inch heels.

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Quorra's helmet

Each actor's helmet was made specially for his or her head. This one, created for Olivia Wilde, was made to within a quarter of an inch of the skin--and sometimes less in places.

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Sam Flynn's helmet

Sam Flynn, played by Garret Hedlund, has a helmet comprised of several different materials. Designer Neville Page, who has a background in industrial design, said that while most movie props are made as cheaply as possible, the helmets for "Tron: Legacy" were made using the same materials and techniques used to make car headlights or sports helmets by Nike.

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The back of Sam's helmet

Along with the hard, clear plastic layer, the helmets also integrated the suit's lighting effects.

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Lightcycles return

Tron's iconic lightcycles return in "Tron: Legacy," and bring with them the deadly trail that can cut off other racers who aren't quick enough to steer out of the way. The cycles debuted their new look in a visual-effects test at 2008's Comic-Con.

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The light runner

Unlike lightcycles, the "light runner" seats two, and can go off the grid's power source, letting it drive out into the off-grid area known as "the Outlands."

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Lightcycle mock-up

The reworked version of the lightcycle has been made to more closely blend with the rider, an effect the creators were going for in the first film, but were unable to accomplish due to technological hurdles.

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Lightcycle from the back

An early sketch of the lightcycle. Designer Daniel Simon quit his job doing automobile design in Germany to work on "Tron: Legacy." Each vehicle he created has a seam that runs through the entire body.

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Render of the lightcycle

A 3D rendering of the lightcycle from the previous slide, with lighting and ambient reflections.

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Top-down view of lightcycle with rider

A top-down view of a lightcycle with a rider atop it. In the new design, the rider is nearly horizontal, and protected on the top with a roll bar of sorts.

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Sketch of Flynn's lightcycle

A design of Flynn's white lightcycle. Unlike the newer versions, it encloses the rider within it. Click here to see a full-size version.
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Kevin Flynn's lightcycle

A retro version of Jeff Bridges' character Kevin Flynn's lightcycle from "Tron: Legacy." In the previews for the film, you can see it in the living room of his safe house.

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