The Maze Runner Reboot in the Works at Disney’s 20th Century

A reboot of “The Maze Runner,” the science-fiction franchise based on James Dashner’s dystopian young adult novels, is in the works at Disney’s 20th Century Studios. ‘Transcendence’ screenwriter Jack Paglen is in talks to write a new film, TheWrap has learned.

A trilogy of film adaptations, running from 2014-2018, starring Dylan O’Brien and Kaya Scodelario. It grossed $348 million worldwide.

Producers from the original film – Gotham Group’s Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Lee Stollman and Temple Hill’s Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen – are on board, as is original director Wes Ball, who will don a producer hat in the new film.

The new film would not be a sequel or remake, but a ‘sequel’, with presumably new characters trying to escape the walled complex known as the Glade.

Paglen’s previous work includes the 2014 Johnny Depp sci-fi thriller ‘Transcendence’ and a co-story for 2017’s ‘Alien: Covenant’. He is repped by CAA and Lichter Grossman.

The film trilogy, which consists of ‘The Maze Runner’, ‘Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials’ and ‘Maze Runner: The Death Cure’, was adapted by TS Nowlin, who also wrote ‘The Adam Project’ and ‘Pacific Rim’. Revolt.”

The release of “The Death Cure” was delayed for almost a year after the lead actor, O’Brien, was seriously injured during filming.

Four other books in Dashner’s series, “The Kill Order,” “The Fever Code,” “The Maze Cutter” and 2023’s “The Godhead Complex,” have not yet been adapted into films.

When Disney acquired Fox in 2019, the media giant announced that it planned to produce more installments in several Fox film franchises, including “Avatar,” “Alien” and “The Maze Runner,” as well as “Planet of the Apes.”

The latest film in the Apes franchise, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” – directed by “Maze Runner” filmmaker Wes Ball – hits theaters this Friday.

The Hollywood Reporter first reported this story.

This story includes reporting from TheWrap’s Umberto Gonzalez.