Disney’s animated TRON TV series set for 2012 debut

Disney is banking on Tron: Legacy being a hit upon its December release this year – so much so that the company has been discussing theme park rides and an animated series to fill the gaps between sequels. Now, the voice cast has been released for the animated series – called “Tron: Uprising” and set to hit Disney XD in 2012 – and it’s pretty impressive. Check out cast list and the plot synopsis after the jump.

ComingSoon brings the report, which lists an insanely talented voice cast that is one of the most random selections of actors I’ve ever seen. I’ll let them do the talking:

The noteworthy voice cast of “TRON: Uprising” includes Elijah Wood as Beck, Emmanuelle Chriqui as Paige, Mandy Moore as Mara, Nate Corddry as Zed, Lance Henriksen as Tesler, Paul Reubens as Pavel, Reginald VelJohnson as Able and Bruce Boxleitner reprising his role as Tron.

I’d say this cast is a bit more than “noteworthy.” Pee Wee Herman? Carl Winslow from “Family Matters”? Are you kidding me? I’m not doubting their talent in the least, I just find it odd that actors like this – and Lance Henriksen, for God’s sake – are popping up in the same project. I’m usually not one for animated TV shows – I don’t have anything against them, I just haven’t found any that interest me lately – but this sounds like a project worth tuning in for.

Set in between the events of the original 1982 Tron movie and Tron: Legacy, “Tron: Uprising” is set to premiere in the summer of 2012 on Disney XD following the release of a 10-part “micro-series” in the Fall of 2011. Looks like they’re taking a page out of George Lucas’ playbook; “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” animated series takes place between the events of Episodes 2 and 3. The only problem I can foresee here is being boxed in by the story restraints (since we know what came before and what’s coming after).

Produced by Disney Television Animation, the series follows Beck, a young program who becomes the unlikely leader of a revolution inside the computer world of The Grid. His mission is to free his home and friends from the reign of the villainous Clu and his henchman General Tesler. Beck will be trained by Tron – the greatest warrior the Grid has ever known. Tron will not only teach Beck the fighting skills he needs to challenge this brutal military occupation, but will be a guide and mentor to him as he grows beyond his youthful, impulsive nature into a courageous, powerful leader. Destined to become the new protector of the system, Beck adopts Tron’s persona and becomes the archenemy of Tesler and his oppressive forces.

What do you think of the voice cast assembled here? Are you going to tune in to “Tron: Uprising”?