The feature adaptation of James Dashner's young adult novel The Maze Runner has found its leading male, and it's a face that should be very familiar to those who tune in to MTV's Teen Wolf. Dylan O'Brien, who plays Stiles in the MTV drama, has been tapped to play the role of Thomas in the sci-fi film.
Deadline broke the news of O'Brien's casting. Wes Ball is set to direct 20th Century Fox's adaptation, based on a script by Noah Oppenheim (redrafted by Grant Myers and T.S. Nowlin). News of O'Brien's casting follows word that Chronicles of Narnia's Will Poulter and Skins' Kaya Scodelario are also on board to star in the film.
The Maze Runner centers on Thomas, a guy who finds himself mysteriously delivered to a place called the Glade with no memory of anything other than his own name. Each day, a new boy is brought to this large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls. Thomas finds himself trying to find answers and a way out of the walled place. The book appears to be recommended reading for fans of The Hunger Games and Divergent, and given its focus on teens tasked to deal with dangerous circumstances in a seemingly controlled and manipulated environment, that sounds about right.
In addition to playing Scott's best friend in Teen Wolf, O'Brien's credits only date back to 2011 with roles in High Road and Jon Kasdan's The First Time. But we'll also be seeing him in Shawn Levy's The Internship coming soon. And if The Maze Runner proves to be half as successful as The Hunger Games, this movie should offer some great exposure for the up and coming star.
