Cancer Survivor Jeff Bridges, 74, Says Anything Is ‘Possible’ In New Tron Film: ‘It Worked Out That I Still Have Some Sort Of Consciousness’

Leading up to his new role, Bridges courageously dealt with a lymphoma diagnosis in 2020, and about a year later, was declared in remission after undergoing chemotherapy. Throughout cancer treatment, a Covid-19 diagnosis led to a lengthy hospital stay stemming from a weakened immune system. However, with all that in Bridges’ past, he’s continuing to thrive in life — and he’s especially “thrilled” to be back in the world of “Tron.”

RELATED: Jared Leto Was Doubled Over Laughing With Jeff Bridges, 74, On Set of New ‘Tron’ Film– Beating Cancer, Making Art, Loving Life

Bridges, who plays a gifted computer programmer named Kevin Flynn, spoke about The Grid, a computer system and digital world, his character created, which appears as the main setting in the “Tron: Legacy” film, as well as it’s 1982 prequel “Tron.”

He shared that the The Grid, a digital realm where software programs take on human-like forms and behave as if they are sentient, will offer more than ever before.

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Bridges told Empire about what this new movie will bring, “Yeah, I was a bit surprised. You know, this is the Grid. The whole digital universe is all up for grabs. It’s all possible in that place.

“It worked out that I still have some sort of consciousness.”

Further offering insight into how his character as changed throughout the “Tron” series, he explained further, “As human beings, we seek perfection. And sometimes we miss the whole point of the thing … the idea of the journey being the destination.

“Flynn originally explored the digital world in the hopes of achieving some sort of perfection for humanity, but now… the plot thickens, you know? As ‘The Dude’ might say, new sh*t has come to light.”

As Bridges is looking forward to the release of the new movie, he recently took to Instagram to share a new trailer for “Tron: Ares,” writing, alongside the footage, “Thrilled to be back in this world.

“Check out the new trailer for Tron: Ares and experience it in theaters, filmed for IMAX, October 10.”

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Fans Bridges were quick to take to the post’s commented, with one writing, “The Grid just isn’t the same without you. Welcome back, legend—can’t wait to see what you bring to Tron: Ares.”

Another wrote, “Speak of Tron and I appear… Tron lives.”

“Movie of the year already… omg!!! This is not a movie its a video game.”

“All in on Tron Ares! You’re awesome Jeff can’t wait!” commented a fourth fan.

Jeff Bridges’ Cancer Battle

RELATED: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Overview

Jeff Bridges was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2020 and started chemotherapy treatment right away. Although Bridges hasn’t personally specified which type of lymphoma he was diagnosed with, AARP noted that his cancer was, in fact, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, cancer of a type of white blood cells called lymphocytes, which are part of the immune system.

While cancer treatment was going well, he was also diagnosed with COVID-19 in January 2021, and due to his cancer treatment having weakened his immune system, Bridges wound up spending months in the hospital.

RELATED: ‘Cancer Was Nothing Compared to Covid’: Actor Jeff Bridges Details Living Through Covid After Chemo ‘Took Out’ His Immune System

According to AARP, Bridges’ cancer went into remission quickly after he was put through chemotherapy infusion, which was followed by an oral chemo protocol.

He dubbed his wife Susan Geston as being his “absolute champion” as she stayed by Bridges’ side as he recovered from covid in the hospital. “She really fought to keep me off a ventilator. I didn’t want to be on it, and the doctors didn’t necessarily want that. But Sue was adamant,” he told the news outlet.

He was ultimately treated with a blood plasma called “convalescent plasma,” which consists of viral antibodies.

Despite his struggle, like so many cancer survivors, Bridges was left with a renewed appreciation for life.

“I’ll be honest. I didn’t know if I was going to make it,” he told Esquire Middle East in 2022. “I was on death’s door there for a while in the hospital. When I finally went back to work, after a two-year hiatus, it was the most bizarre kind of thing. It felt like a dream.”

“I came back after all that time, and saw the same faces [while shooting ‘The Old Man’], the same cast and crew,” he added. “It was like we had a long weekend. I gathered everyone and I said, ‘I had the most bizarre dream, you guys.’ I was sick and out, but all that feels like a gray mush now.”

Understanding Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system that affects infection-fighting cells called lymphocytes. And there are more than 40 different types of lymphoma.

“Lymphoma is split up into a number of different categories,” Dr. Elise Chong, a medical oncologist at Penn Medicine, previously told SurvivorNet.

“The first distinguishing breakpoint, if you will, is non-Hodgkin lymphoma versus Hodgkin lymphoma and those sound like two different categories,” she explained. “But non-Hodgkin lymphoma comprises the majority of lymphoma, and Hodgkin lymphoma is a single specific type of lymphoma.”

Sneaky Lymphoma Symptoms Often Lead to a Late Diagnosis

Hodgkin lymphoma has distinctive, giant cells called Reed-Sternberg cells. The presence of these cells, which can be seen under a microscope, will help your doctor determine which of the two lymphoma types you have.

There are a few other important differences between non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma to note. For one thing, non-Hodgkin lymphoma is much more common. And you’re more likely to be diagnosed with it after age 55, like Jeff Bridges. People usually develop Hodgkin lymphoma at a younger age.

It should be noted that another difference between these two types of lymphoma is that non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more likely to spread in a random fashion and be found in different groups of lymph nodes in the body, while Hodgkin lymphoma is more likely to grow in a uniform way from one group of lymph nodes directly to another.

These two different types of lymphoma behave, spread and respond to treatment differently, so it’s important for you to know which type you have.

Finding Vitality and the ‘Pathway’ to Resilience

Psychiatrist Dr. Samantha Boardman suggests that people working on their mental health practice positive psychology. Positive psychology focuses on encouraging patients to feel positive and finding what brings a sense of vitality to their lives.

Dr. Boardman explains them as “pathways to embrace your everyday resilience.” In other words, these are tools people who may be struggling with mental health issues can embrace to help maintain a certain sense of positivity. And those positive feelings can go a long way when people are facing a health challenge like a cancer diagnosis.

Staying Active After a Cancer Diagnosis

According to Dr. Boardman, these three wellsprings of vitality are:

• Connecting. This involves how you’re connecting with others and having meaningful interactions. It involves being a good listener and being engaged with the people around you who you care about.
• Contribution. How are you adding value to the people around you? Are you helping them in ways that feel meaningful to them? This entails contributing/engaging with others in a meaningful way.
• Feeling challenged. Being “positively challenged” could involve learning something new (perhaps by taking a new class or reading an interesting book) and expanding your mind in some way.

“Those are the cores of vitality and the core pathways to enhance your everyday resilience,” Dr. Boardman said.

Do What You Love During & After Cancer

During cancer treatment, and also after, it can be hard to focus on anything except your treatment or the challenges that follow a cancer battle. However, Jeff Bridges is a wonderful example that it’s important to take a moment and focus on something that makes you genuinely happy.

Experts recommend you try to take some time out of your day a few times a week and really enjoy those special pockets of joy.

“We know from good studies that emotional health is associated with survival, meaning better quality of life is associated with better outcomes,” Dr. Dana Chase, a gynecologic oncologist at Arizona Oncology, previously told SurvivorNet.

“So working on your emotional health, your physical well-being, your social environment [and] your emotional well-being are important and can impact your survival. If that’s related to what activities you do that bring you joy, then you should try to do more of those activities.”

Dr. Dana Chase Encourages Those Facing Cancer to Find Moments of Joy During Treatment

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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