Maze Runner: The Death Cure
Final installment of the Maze Runner film series.
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Maze Runner: The Death Cure, often shortened to The Death Cure, is a 2018 American dystopian science fiction film. Wes Ball directed it, and T. S. Nowlin wrote the screenplay, adapting James Dashner's 2011 novel of the same name. It follows 2015's *Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials* and serves as the third and final movie in the Maze Runner film series. The cast includes Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Patricia Clarkson, Ki Hong Lee, Dexter Darden, Giancarlo Esposito, Aidan Gillen, Barry Pepper, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jacob Lofland, Katherine McNamara, Rosa Salazar, and Will Poulter, all returning from earlier films, with Walton Goggins joining them.
The film was originally scheduled for a February 17, 2017, release in the United States by 20th Century Fox. The studio moved the date to January 26, 2018, to give O'Brien time to recover from injuries he got while filming. Critics gave the movie mixed reviews, praising the cast's performances, action scenes, and visual effects, but criticizing the story, screenplay, and character development. It earned $288 million worldwide.
In the plot, Thomas, Newt, and Frypan—the last free Gladers—team up with the Right Arm resistance to rescue immune children from a WCKD train. Aris tells Thomas that their friend Minho is on a different train car heading to WCKD's base, the Last City. Ignoring Vince's orders, the three go to the Last City to save Minho, who is being tortured along with other children. Cranks attack them, but Jorge and Brenda help. Outside the city's fortified wall, protesters are fired upon by WCKD, and the group is captured by masked figures. One turns out to be Gally, presumed dead, who takes them to rebellion leader Lawrence. Lawrence helps Thomas, Newt, Gally, and Frypan enter the city. Gally shows them around, and after Thomas spots Teresa, Gally offers to get them into WCKD headquarters. Newt reveals he is infected with the Flare. Promising a cure, Thomas and Gally capture Teresa. Disguised as WCKD soldiers, they escort her inside to find the immune children. Gally stays to watch the children and find a serum. Thomas, Teresa, and Newt search for Minho but are chased by Janson. Teresa lets them escape and later tests Thomas's blood. After delivering the children and serum to Brenda, Gally returns to help Thomas. Brenda flees with the children. Thomas, Newt, and Minho escape WCKD.
- Director
- Wes Ball
- Screenplay
- T. S. Nowlin
- Based on
- The Death Cure (2011) by James Dashner
- Release date
- January 26, 2018 (United States)
- Budget
- $62 million
- Box office
- $288 million worldwide
Lore & Background
The film follows Thomas, Newt, and Frypan, the last free Gladers, who join the Right Arm resistance to rescue immune children from WCKD. They learn that their friend Minho is being held in the Last City, WCKD's base, and travel there against orders. After encounters with Cranks and help from Jorge and Brenda, they enter the city with the aid of Gally, who was presumed dead, and Lawrence, a rebellion leader. Inside, Thomas and Newt capture Teresa to infiltrate WCKD headquarters, where they find Minho and discover that Thomas's blood can cure the Flare virus. Newt, infected with the Flare, ultimately dies by suicide after begging Thomas to kill him. Thomas confronts WCKD leader Ava Paige, who is killed by the infected Janson; Teresa frees Thomas, and Janson is killed by Cranks. The building collapses, killing Teresa, and the group escapes with the immune children to a safe haven island.
Reader's Guide
Maze Runner: The Death Cure serves as the conclusion to the Maze Runner film series, adapting James Dashner's 2011 novel. The film's production was notably delayed due to injuries sustained by lead actor Dylan O'Brien during filming in March 2016, pushing its release from February 2017 to January 2018. The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the cast performances, action sequences, and visual effects but criticized the storyline, screenplay, and character development. It grossed $288 million worldwide against a $62 million budget, opening at number one in the United States with $24.2 million. The film's visual effects were provided by Weta Digital and supervised by Chris White. Walton Goggins joined the cast as Lawrence, described as an unusual and dangerous character. The film was released on Blu-Ray and DVD on April 24, 2018.
Did You Know?
- Dylan O'Brien was hospitalized on March 18, 2016, due to injuries sustained on set, causing production to be postponed indefinitely.
- Filming resumed on March 6, 2017, in Cape Town, South Africa, and principal photography wrapped on June 3, 2017.
- Walton Goggins joined the cast as Lawrence, a character described as part-revolutionary, part-anarchist.
- The film's release date was moved multiple times, finally premiering on January 26, 2018.
Elsewhere in The Maze Runner
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