Maze Runner's Reboot Plan Sounds Confusing 10 Years After The Franchise Began

Summary The Maze Runner franchise is getting a confusing reboot not classified as a remake or direct sequel to the original trilogy.

The new movie will be a continuation of the story while incorporating elements that made the first film popular.

A real reboot, completely scrapping the original trilogy, might turn off audiences eager to see the franchise continue.

The Maze Runner franchise is getting a reboot, and the plan is confusing considering the timing of the news and early details. 20th Century Studios launched the adaptation of James Dashner's YA book series in 2014 after The Hunger Games became so popular. The studio made three Maze Runner movies starring Dylan O'Brien as Thomas, with the successful trilogy wrapping up in 2018. With multiple other books left to adapt, it was assumed that more installments would be made in the movie franchise, and Disney first confirmed its intention to keep the series going in 2019.

That left speculation open about what Maze Runner 4 would be about, as Dashner wrote books that act as prequels and distant sequels to the original trilogy already brought to the screen. It has now been reported that a Maze Runner reboot is in development with original franchise director Wes Ball remaining involved as a producer. The news comes as somewhat of a surprise since the term "reboot" is being applied to the new Maze Runner movie. But it is the details behind the movie that make the actual status of the franchise's future more confusing.

Related Maze Runner 4: Will It Happen? Everything We Know Maze Runner: The Death Cure ended the original trilogy, but will Maze Runner 4 happen? Here's what is known about its status, story, and more.

Early Details On The Maze Runner's "Reboot" Doesn't Make It Sound Like A Reboot

The Term Reboot Is Not Being Used Correctly

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Plans for The Maze Runner's reboot were announced in early May 2024 when a report surfaced that Disney and 20th Century had finally decided on a direction for the franchise to go. THR reported that Transcendence scribe Jack Paglen has been hired to write the script for the new Maze Runner movie. And while Wes Ball's return as a producer is a reassuring sign for the plans, the early details do not make it sound like a reboot at all.

According to THR's sources, the Maze Runner reboot is "not a redo of the story nor is it a direct sequel to the original trilogy." This means that the new movie is not a direct remake of the original 2014 movie or a soft reboot of the franchise set after the events of Maze Runner: The Death Cure's ending. With those options off the table, it does not sound like this new Maze Runner reboot is a reboot at all.

Merriam-Webster's definition of the term reboot is "to start (something) anew : to refresh (something) by making a new start or creating a new version"

The report instead mentions that the plan is for the movie to be "a sort of continuation of the story yet also return to the elements that made the first movie connect with its audience." This confirms that the supposed Maze Runner reboot is still very much connected to the original trilogy of films, although how remains unknown. As a result, the new film might not really qualify as a Maze Runner reboot other than the idea that it is reviving the franchise.

Related 8 Biggest Franchise Questions Maze Runner 4 Can Answer While the Maze Runner movie trilogy already ended, Maze Runner 4 could use the prequel books to answer many franchise questions left unanswered.

It’s Too Soon For A Real Maze Runner Reboot

The Original Trilogy Ended 6 Years Ago

Reboots have become a major part of the modern Hollywood ecosystem, so it is not out of the question that a Maze Runner reboot would ever happen. However, right now is not the right time to do a real reboot that completely scraps the original trilogy, recasts the main characters, and remakes the films - possibly without as many changes to the Maze Runner books. 20th Century might have kicked off the series 10 years ago, but only six years have passed since Maze Runner: The Death Cure came out.

The trilogy capper might not have exceeded expectations critically or financially, but it still continued the franchise's general success. The original Maze Runner movies are still relatively fresh in audiences' minds, so much so that there is still interest in seeing Dylan O'Brien return as Thomas in some capacity. There is still room for the studios to explore other stories set within the canon of the original trilogy using Dashner's other novels. Remaking them to do a real Maze Runner reboot would risk turning off audiences who wanted to see the existing franchise continue.

The Maze Runner Movie Franchise Movie Release Date Box Office Critics RT Score Audience RT Score The Maze Runner September 19, 2014 $348.3 Million 65% 68% Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials September 18, 2015 $312.2 Million 48% 54% Maze Runner: The Death Cure January 26, 2018 $288.1 Million 43% 58%

The Best Option For The Maze Runner's Reboot's Story

The Reboot Could Go Beyond The Books

Without any confirmation on what story the Maze Runner reboot will tell, there is room for speculation about how Disney and 20th Century have decided to continue the franchise. Knowing that it is not a remake or direct sequel eliminates a few options. Adapting Dashner's first prequel book, The Kill Order, could fit the criteria of connecting to the original films, but it would be strange to classify that adaptation as a reboot. The Maze Cutter, Dashner's book that moves the franchise decades past Thomas' story, could be how the franchise will continue the story without being a direct sequel.

However, the best option for the Maze Runner's reboot story is returning to the mazes. That could mean that the movies will go where the books never did and explore life in the other mazes WCKD had. Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials confirmed that the Gladers were not the only test subjects and that at least three other mazes exist. The Maze Runner reboot could tell a story about young adults in these other facilities. This would allow the story to run adjacently to the original movies, include major connections, and answer lingering questions as part of a reboot.

Source: THR