Less than a decade after the original movie debuted in theaters, 20th Century Studios is revisiting The Maze Runner franchise. However, instead of a straight-up remake, the studio is looking to the future with a new story set in the same universe.

The Maze Runner
A still from The Maze Runner (2014)

The franchise consists of three movies: The Maze Runner (2014), The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015), The Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018). The movies are based on a successful book series by James Dashner, which already had a built-in fan base.

The initial book and movie center on a group of teenagers who wake up in a place called the Glade with no memory of who they are. Outside the walls of the Glade is a maze, full of dangerous machines and doors that close every night.

Maze Runner Reboot Comes After Original Trilogy Ended

Dylan O'Brien in a still from The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015)
Dylan O’Brien in a still from The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015)

The original Maze Runner movie made almost 10 times its budget (generating $348 million worldwide, as per The Numbers, on the budget of $35 million). This financial success has spurred 20th Century Studios to revisit the franchise.

Disney is in talks with Jack Paglen to write the script for a new installment of the Maze Runner series. The producers of the original trilogy, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Lee Stollman, Wyck Godfrey, and Marty Bowen, are returning to produce this one as well. Wes Ball, who directed the original trilogy, will also be part of the team as a producer.

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As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the reboot won’t look to redo what we’ve seen before. Dylan O’Brien and the rest of the OG cast wont be back. Instead, it’s going to be a “continuation” – a new story set in the same world with different characters. This is similar to what the studio did with the Planet of the Apes series, introducing a new generation after the original films. It lets them use the existing world and story while giving us something fresh to see.

Fans are not Too Thrilled About the Maze Runner Reboot

A still from The Maze Runner: The Death Cure
A still from The Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018)

Many fans who enjoyed the original trilogy feel there’s more story to tell outside the existing universe. James Dashner’s book series includes a prequel titled The Kill Order, which details the creation of the Glade and the events leading up to the first book.

Fans believe that turning this prequel into a movie would give us new characters and stories while keeping everything we already know about the world. Check out some fan reactions:

The big question is: Can the reboot bring back the excitement of the original movies? The studio is betting that introducing new characters will make people interested in The Maze Runner universe again.

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Watch The Maze Runner movies on Disney+.

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