Disney is gearing up to revive a hit YA franchise, and it needs to bring back the original lead. After acquiring Fox in 2019, Disney gained access to a number of properties that it has since sought to revive. For example, this year will see the release of two Predator movies, and franchises like Planet of the Apes and Alien are expected to continue with new installments.

The biggest part of Disney’s acquisition of Fox saw the former gain control of key Marvel properties The Fantastic Four and X-Men. Both sub-franchises are being revived within the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the coming years. While all this gets underway, Disney has next turned its attention to a YA Fox series.

The young adult genre, after thriving for much of the early 2010s, saw a quieter period in recent years. Now, though, many major franchises are making comebacks, from HBO’s Harry Potter show to the new Hunger Games prequels. Soon, another series could join them.

Maze Runner’s Reboot Should Bring Back Dylan O’Brien’s Thomas

In 2024, news broke that Disney is working on a Maze Runner reboot with original director Wes Ball, who will now be on board as a producer. Adapted from author James Dashner’s books, the original Maze Runner series featured three movies in total and ran from 2014 to 2018.

They followed a group of teens stranded at the center of a mysterious maze, with no recollection of their lives prior. Dylan O’Brien played the lead character Thomas, the newest addition to the maze who had a key connection with the outside world. With the Maze Runner franchise pursuing a revival, one can only hope that O’Brien will be involved somehow.

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While speaking with ScreenRant recently about his new movie Ponyboi, the actor expressed some interest in appearing in the Maze Runner reboot, saying, “I guess I would tackle it if it were brought to me.” However, he also stressed that he hadn’t heard anything yet.

Still, if the new movie wishes to be a success, O’Brien should be involved. Not only does he remain a fan-favorite star, he also anchored the original movies and, if brought back, would serve as a strong connection to the previous cast. Additionally, with O’Brien now much older than he was when he first played Thomas, it would be special to see him step into the role with some additional maturity.

How Dylan O’Brien Can Return In Disney’s Maze Runner Reboot

Thomas was last seen in 2018’s Maze Runner: The Death Cure, the finale to the main trilogy created by Dashner. Though several beloved characters died over the course of the film, by the ending of The Death Cure, Thomas was alive and living among the other survivors on an island. In a sense, his story has concluded, but his continued existence means he could easily return.

Dashner has since continued the book series with a new trilogy, тιтled The Maze Cutter, though it is set over 70 years after the original novels. It follows the descendants of the Gladers, and it is noted that Thomas died of natural causes sometime before the first book.

However, it isn’t yet clear whether the Maze Runner reboot will adapt the sequel trilogy. In the initial announcement, it was said the reboot won’t be a remake or traditional sequel, but will instead be a “sort of continuation.”

If Disney and 20th Century Studios aim to create a new franchise based around a fresh cast, O’Brien would be perfectly positioned to serve as a legacy character who can pᴀss the torch onto the next generation. This could be done by either setting the reboot shortly after The Death Cure, or, if it adapts The Maze Cutter, featuring Thomas in flashbacks. Either way, there is ample opportunity to get O’Brien involved.

Maze Runner Could Give Disney Another Great Franchise If Done Right

With a box office total of over $949 million, the original Maze Runner trilogy was a success, and its reboot could be too, if handled properly. Disney has a strong track record with franchises, and there’s no doubt it would like to build more. Fueled by nostalgia and a potentially returning lead star, The Maze Runner could be Disney’s next big thing.

The reboot’s potential doesn’t lie squarely on O’Brien’s involvement, but his presence could only help the movie rather than hurt it. As long as Disney focuses on the elements that worked well for the previous Maze Runner movies, it can boost the property’s status and create a new, beloved franchise.