Dylan O’Brien finally responds to news that Maze Runner 4 is in development, which he didn’t even know was in consideration. The original Maze Runner movies O’Brien headlined for 20th Century Studios made $940 million at the box office combined. It came as no surprise when reports surfaced last year that a Maze Runner reboot was in development.

The original reporting stated that the new Maze Runner movie was neither a sequel nor a remake of the James Dashner books already adapted. Instead, it was labeled as a “sort of continuation.” That spawned a lot of questions about whether original cast members, like Dylan O’Brien as Thomas, would return.

Speaking with ScreenRant’s Liam Crowley to promote Ponyboi, releasing in theaters on June 27, 2025, Dylan O’Brien shared his reaction to the Maze Runner reboot. He was not aware of the film’s development until the question was asked. While he has not been contacted by 20th Century Studios or Disney about returning, O’Brien expressed some willingness to return as 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 mᴀssive 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.

See a video version of O’Brien’s reaction to the Maze Runner reboot news below:

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What Dylan O’Brien’s Reaction Means For The Maze Runner Reboot

Thomas’ Return Is Possible

It’s clear from Dylan O’Brien’s reaction to the news of the new Maze Runner movie that he is not currently in contact with anyone involved in the film’s development. The movie is being written by Transcendence scribe Jack Paglen, with the previous trilogy’s director Wes Ball attached as a producer. O’Brien’s prior relationship with the latter means he could get a call once the film picks up steam.

Disney made its interest in making another Maze Runner movie clear shortly after closing the deal to acquire 20th Century Studios, but development on the reboot/continuation has not made any strides publicly over the last year. If there is no finished script or even a director attached, it may be too early to be in contact with O’Brien about whether Thomas is needed.

This could leave O’Brien in the dark on whether he’ll be back for the next Maze Runner film for the foreseeable future. Then again, the movie’s status could change quickly, especially if the studios catch wind that the franchise’s original star would be willing to come back in some capacity.

Whether Dylan O’Brien returns for Maze Runner 4 may come down to how the movie pushes the world and story forward. There are other Dashner novels, but they’re either prequels with a young Thomas or sequels set years after The Death Cure where Thomas is no longer the lead. O’Brien’s return is not so simple with either option.

Our Take On Dylan O’Brien’s Maze Runner Return Comments

Bring Him Back Disney

Dylan O’Brien might not already be attached to Maze Runner 4, nor is he overly committed to guaranteeing he’d come back, but it is something that the movie should try to do. The Death Cure‘s ending leaves the door open for Thomas’ story to continue. It would be a bit disappointing for the franchise to move on from him completely.

I hope that O’Brien does get a chance to play Thomas once more. Even if it’s only for a smaller part, it would be meaningful to see him return to a role that helped define a large part of his career. And after pushing himself with various genres and types of performances in recent years, his return in Maze Runner 4 could be more special.