Will Dylan O’Brien Return for Maze Runner 4 Surprise?

Dylan O’Brien finds himself at the center of a buzz as news of Maze Runner 4 surfaces—a project he was unaware of until recently. The original Maze Runner trilogy, which he led for 20th Century Studios, amassed an impressive $940 million at the box office. So, it wasn’t surprising when reports hinted at a reboot hitting the development stage last year.

Initial reports clarified that the upcoming movie would not be a sequel or a mere remake of James Dashner’s beloved books. Instead, it was coined as a “sort of continuation,” raising questions about whether O’Brien, known for his role as Thomas, would reprise his character.

In a recent interview with ScreenRant’s Liam Crowley aimed at promoting Ponyboi, set to release on June 27, 2025, O’Brien expressed surprise upon learning about the reboot. Although he hasn’t been contacted by 20th Century Studios or Disney regarding a return, he acknowledged a willingness to revisit the character of Thomas.

Liam Crowley: Before we get out of here, guys, Dylan, I grew up on your work, man. It’s really cool to get to talk to you today. I’m a huge fan of young adult books as a whole, and when they made the Maze Runner movies, I was like, this is the greatest thing ever. There’s a reboot on the way.

Dylan O’Brien: For Maze?

Liam Crowley: That’s what they’re saying over at 20th Century in Disney, but it’s Maze. Yeah, it’s like a continuation, but with a different cast and all that.

Dylan O’Brien: What?

Liam Crowley: Am I breaking this news to you?

Dylan O’Brien: I don’t even get a call, let alone a check (laughs). What do you mean, ‘a continuation?’

Liam Crowley: They basically said that they don’t want it to be a full-on reboot, but like a new story with a new group of people. So I don’t know if Thomas factors in, but there’s more Thomas books. There’s a couple more books that Thomas is in the Maze Runner written series.

Dylan O’Brien: Isn’t this fascinating? It’s fascinating.

Liam Crowley: It’s my job to be an encyclopedia in all things news.

Dylan O’Brien: I appreciate you letting me know. I’m going to come to you for more things.

Liam Crowley: Well, I guess I would love to ask, are you interested in telling more stories with Thomas, or do you think that ship has sailed?

Dylan O’Brien: It doesn’t seem like they’re interested in having me because I haven’t heard about it. They’re interested in capitalizing off of the success for the thing that we built and not even acknowledging or giving us any slice of the pie. But hey, that’s how it goes, baby. No, I’m like, this is genuinely the first time I’m hearing about it. I had once thought there was a prequel or something that was happening, but I don’t know. I mean, listen, those movies are, I would answer it in such a way, the show Teen Wolf is very similar for me as well. These are very fundamentally informative experiences for me in this industry, and these were massive experiences for me as a young adult and an adult and into my adulthood and a person, and I learned so much from these hours on these sets. So yeah, I mean, these will always be things that I hold dearly with me, but as far as these new iterations of them, yeah, I don’t know. I mean, that’s a whole different chapter, and I guess I would tackle it if it were brought to me. But Liam, you’re the only one who’s brought it to me so far.

Liam Crowley: When we publish this interview, you might get a call from your agent, who knows.

Dylan O’Brien: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I love this. I see. I love this strategy. We’re working together here.

In light of his unexpected revelation about the reboot, O’Brien’s reaction paints a vivid picture of the existing dynamics in Hollywood. It’s quite evident that he isn’t currently in touch with anyone involved in the movie’s development. Maze Runner 4 is being crafted by Jack Paglen, who penned Transcendence, with Wes Ball, director of the original trilogy, attached as a producer. Their previous collaborations could pave the way for O’Brien to be contacted once the film gears up for production.

Disney’s intent to revisit the Maze Runner universe was made clear soon after their acquisition of 20th Century Studios. However, significant public progress on the reboot has been nearly nonexistent over the past year. Without a completed script or a director on board, it’s understandable that O’Brien hasn’t been approached about reprising his iconic role.

Thus, O’Brien remains largely in the dark about his potential return—though the landscape could evolve quickly if the studio grasps that the original star is open to returning. The narrative direction will likely play a crucial role in determining whether O’Brien steps back into Thomas’ shoes. While there are other Dashner novels to explore, some act as prequels with a younger Thomas, while others are set years after The Death Cure, presenting a challenge regarding O’Brien’s involvement.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding O’Brien’s return for Maze Runner 4, a cameo or supporting role for the character Thomas could prove invaluable. The conclusion of The Death Cure left an unresolved path for Thomas, and it would be disheartening for the franchise to eclipse him entirely. O’Brien’s portrayal of Thomas was a defining moment in his career, and reuniting with this character could yield significant emotional depth, particularly after his forays into various genres in recent years.