‘The Maze Runner’ Franchise Is Getting A Reboot

It’s been a decade since the world was first introduced to The Maze Runner film franchise. While the series was pretty successful, and even landed director Wes Ball the reins of the new Planet of the Apes film, it’s actually getting a reboot.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, 20th Century Studios is in negotiations with Jack Paglen, most known for his work on that forgettable Johnny Depp sci-fi vehicle Transcendence.

Now, interestingly enough, despite the project being labeled a reboot, it’s technically not going to be a do-over. Nor is it going to be a sequel.

According to site’s sources, the hope is to make a sort of continuation of the story yet also return to the elements that resonated with audiences so much in the first film. In other words, Disney is just trying to create another bankable franchise for their ever-growing domain.

READ: Jennifer Aniston to Produce ‘9 to 5’ Reimagining For 20th Century Studios

Based on the best-selling books by James Dashner, the series followed a group of teens whisked away to a mysterious walled forest known as the Glade. Every day, the walls come down and inhabitants are given the chance to traverse the maze looking for a way out. Unfortunately, the maze’s many mysteries and carnivorous creatures prevent anyone from making it far.

But when a new arrival named Thomas becomes determined to make it out of the Glade and through the Maze everything changes.

The second and third films focused more on the world outside the Maze, which largely consisted of a rebellion against a dystopian government.

READ: 20th Century Studios Nabs ‘Deliver Me From Nowhere’ Starring Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen

While it’s unclear what timeline is for returning to The Maze, there’s a laundry list of producers eager to get the project rolling.

Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Lee Stollman of Gotham Group and Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen of Temple Hill, who produced the original trilogy, are returning to produce the new series. Ball is also coming aboard to produce.

No word on if any of the franchise’s previous stars, such as Dylan O’Brien, Will Poulter or Giancarlo Esposito will return.

SOURCE: THR