Based off of the popular YA novels written by James Dashner, The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials has Wes Ball (The Beginners, The Maze Runner) returning to direct. Picking up immediately after the events of the first film, Scorch Trials shows that the teenage “Gladers” have indeed escaped the mysterious maze filled with all sorts of deadly obstacles and monstrous creatures. Now they must contend with a desolate Earth, which has been consumed by sand and the ruins of humanity. In addition to returning stars Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario and Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Aiden Gillen (Games of Thrones) and Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad) have joined the cast.
As expected, the Scorch Trials is looking larger in scope than its predecessor, showcasing a much bigger world and mystery than what was previously hinted at in Maze Runner. Most of the Gladers seem happy to have escaped the horrors of the maze, though their post-apocalyptic nightmare doesn’t appear to be ending any time soon.
One of the biggest highlights of the trailer is Gillen’s slimy and deceptive Janson. As the main man in charge, Janson looks as if he’s the ready to reveal the mysteries of the maze and why so many had to die for no apparent reason other than abject cruelty. Of course, those answers don’t exactly appear to add up, leading to the group of Gladers trying to escape the facility they’re being held in. What’s so funny is how the trailer does nothing to portray Gillen’s Janson as a nice guy. Having played Petyr “Littlefiner” Baelish, one of the most nefarious backstabbers and manipulators on Game of Thrones, probably had something to do with the lack of effort.
Like many others, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the first Maze Runner film. While I didn’t initially expect much going in, having been continuously disappointed by the plethora of YA adaptions at that point in time, I was quite entertained by the Lord of the Flys-esque characters and world of Maze Runner. Whether Scorch Trials manages to repeat that same success is unknown, but having one moderately critical and commercial hit film doesn’t hurt the sequel’s chances.
The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials will hit theatres September 18, 2015.
What about you reader? Impressed by the first trailer for The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials? Have you read Dashner’s original books? Let us know in the comments below.
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