Disney is reaching for another franchise it inherited from 20th Century Fox. 20th Century Studios is planning a dystopian spectacle, “The Maze Runner.” The title isn’t random. It’s a return to the “Maze Runner” series, which was filmed a decade ago by Wes Ball.
“The Maze Runner” anew, but not entirely
“The Maze Runner” is an adaptation of James Dashner’s novel of the same name. The film emerged during the cinematic trend of youth dystopian sci-fi stories. Directed by Wes Ball and starring Dylan O’Brien, the production, despite its low budget, unexpectedly became a financial success.
The protagonist, Thomas, wakes up one day trapped in a vast, ever-changing maze among a group of boys who don’t remember the outside world. Facing obstacles and dangers at every turn, particularly from the deadly Bulb-Keepers roaming the concrete corridors at night, Thomas and the others must race against time, following clues to discover their true purpose… and find a way out before it’s too late!
The film spawned two sequels: “The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials” and “The Maze Runner: The Death Cure.”
The new “The Maze Runner” will be a soft reboot. The film doesn’t intend to be a new adaptation of Dashner’s books. Instead, it aims to return to the world known from the trilogy. The spectacle will be a sort of continuation but will also incorporate elements that made the original a cinematic hit.
A point of reference is Wes Ball’s new film, “War for the Planet of the Apes.” It’s also a reboot of the last trilogy but not by discarding it and retelling the story anew, but rather by continuing the story using narrative elements known from earlier films.
Jack Paglen will be responsible for the screenplay of “The Maze Runner.” He has previously worked on the script for the film “Transcendence” starring Johnny Depp. The producers are individuals associated with the original trilogy: Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Lee Stollman, and Marty Bowen.
Trailer for the film “The Maze Runner”
