The Maze was just the beginning! See Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials in theaters September 18
In this next chapter of the epic “Maze Runner” saga, Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) and his fellow Gladers face their greatest challenge yet: searching for clues about the mysterious and powerful organization known as WCKD. Their journey takes them to the Scorch, a desolate landscape filled with unimaginable obstacles. Teaming up with resistance fighters, the Gladers take on WCKD’s vastly superior forces and uncover its shocking plans for them all.
Starring: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Giancarlo Esposito, Aidan Gillen, Ki Hong Lee, Barry Pepper, Lili Taylor, and Patricia Clarkson
Screenplay By: T.S. Nowlin, based upon the novel “The Scorch Trials” by James Dashner
Directed By: Wes Ball
Rated PG-13
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CAST INTERVIEW
Part 1 with Rosa Salazar (Brenda) and Giancarlo Esposito (Jorge)
Q: What did you have to do to prepare for the movie? Did you refer back to the first movie or the books?
Ms. Rosa Salazar: When I read the script, I got really turned on by it, so I read the book. And, you can just devour this book. It’s so readable. In a day you’re just through it. It’s great. It’s so fun.
And, then after I tested with Dylan [O’Brien], I got really intrigued so I saw the movie right after that, and I was like “Whoa!” This movie blew me away. So, then I went back to read “Maze Runner”, and then when I got the word that I was going to have the opportunity to be in one, I went nuts, and I read “The Death Cure.”
I was just really excited by the writing, and then when I saw “Maze Runner”, I was like oh man, I’m really compelled to go back and read the book that began everything.
Mr. Giancarlo Esposito: No matter how different the script is than the book that the script is based on, it’s always nice because we have a very close family. And what I love about this movie, is that James Dashner [the author] is a part of our family as well, and our writer, T.S. Nowlin, is also quite prolific at translating and bringing that book to the screen.
So, they all came. But no matter what happens in the script that didn’t happen in the movie, you’re always informed by what the original writer’s vision was, and I think that’s pretty awesome.
I like the fact that I don’t come into this movie until page 52. You know, I like that a lot because in many films, you’re set moving toward the end by that time. And in this, you’re meeting new characters who could be your saviors.
Q: You two have an amazing chemistry together. What was the bond between Brenda and Jorge?
Ms. Rosa Salazar: Yay.
Q: We don’t actually know that you’re her dad or anything.
Mr. Giancarlo Esposito: Well that was something that I really loved because when I first read the script, I didn’t know whether they were lovers —
Ms. Rosa Salazar: — It was vague. I liked that. —
Mr. Giancarlo Esposito: — if he was her dad. I loved that. Because there’s something really beautiful about a relationship that exists in this very —
Ms. Rosa Salazar: — Partners to the utmost, you know?
Mr. Giancarlo Esposito: Partners. Exactly.
Ms. Rosa Salazar: I have that in my life actually, which is pretty interesting. I liked that too and read the script. It was very ambiguous on purpose, and thanks to Wes, it remained that way. Not all relationships need to be explained.
I always call it “chosen family”, and I have people like that in my life where people are like, “Is that your, who? Is that your cousin, your boyfriend, or your buddy?” And I’m like all three on any given day.
Mr. Giancarlo Esposito: That’s right.
Ms. Rosa Salazar: It’s sort of like you are getting by because this person is by your side, and you are partners. And especially in a fantastical situation like this, in a very dire situation like this, this is gold to have someone to rely on in a world that has been completely all of the life sucked right out of it. It’s really nice to have in the scorch.
Mr. Giancarlo Esposito: Yes it is.
Q: In the movie you have a lot of chase scenes, some interactions with live actors playing bad guys and things that are CGI . What was the difference between doing those?
Ms. Rosa Salazar: Scary either way.
Well for me, even when Wes would describe the cranks to me in a scene, he’d be like, “All right. So you’re going to come down the tunnel and then you’re going to see this, and then there’s going to be this crank. And, I would just be like ugh.”
It was scary, and he talked us through it. And, seeing the fully realized version, it’s even more scary. So, it was easy to get that because the whole concept is very scary for me. Then sometimes you have a big stunt guy running at you, and that’s pretty scary, too.
Mr. Giancarlo Esposito: Yes, on the set it’s all of us together on any given day or some equation of people that we know, right? And, then you get all these extras who are either WICKED or they’re cranks. You don’t know them.
When you’re around someone, you get used to their physicality, how they move. We kind of dance with each other. So, then these other folks come on, and you’re like, “Oh my gosh! Is this 250 pound man going to crush me?” You know what I mean? Is he going to stop when I shoot him or not?
I mean because people are really into this film, and all the folks who came aboard even as extras or day players were really into it as well. With a lot of physical action, you’ve got to have your eyes open, and you’ve got to be ready.
Ms. Rosa Salazar: When we’re doing a scene where WICKED is chasing Dylan and I, it’s like, even when we were shooting it, it’s scary because their outfits are unlike anything I’ve ever seen in a bad guy. They’re like these crazy black matte, bug-looking no face. There’s no humanity.
Mr. Giancarlo Esposito: You don’t see their faces. You can’t even see their eyes.
Ms. Rosa Salazar: Yes, and they’re just like these big metal hunks with crazy guns. They were chasing us that day, and I was like, “Oh my gosh, stop. So scary.” And, then Brenda’s [Rosa’s character] like “Goooo.” So, that one kind of scared me in person. I was just like ew. It was like paramilitary bad guys.
Part 2 with Dylan O’Brien (Thomas), Kaya Scodelario (Teresa) , Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Newt), Aidan Gillen, Ki Hong Lee (Minho), Dexter Darden (Fry Pan)
Injuries . . .
Mr. Dexter Darden: I think Albuquerque’s just kind of a different beast because you’re dealing with altitude and you’re dealing with less oxygen as well. And this movie was definitely more physical. So, I think when we all were kind of getting injured and going to the hospitals, towards the end of the shoot.
And so, I think our bodies were just kind of running down and just saying, hey, slow down a little bit. You guys are going to get through. And so that’s what it was.
Ms. Kaya Scodelario: I believe it’s because Thomas picked up the ancient relics–when we were told that it would, we would be cursed -if we picked up anything.
Mr. Ki Hong Lee: We were. We were shooting on an ancient Indian burial ground.
Ms. Kaya Scodelario: And they told us not to touch anything because we’d be cursed. And Thomas took some home.
Mr. Thomas Brodie-Sangster: I only took a skull.
Ms. Kaya Scodelario: Yes. And five of us ended up in hospital.
Mr. Dexter Darden: I definitely brought somebody home.
Ms. Kaya Scodelario: It’s Thomas’ fault.
Mr. Thomas Brodie-Sangster: Sorry, guys.
Mr. Dylan O’Brien: I took a rock, and then I returned it.
Ms. Kaya Scodelario: Yes. You are okay.
Mr. Dexter Darden: That’s true.
Mr. Dylan O’Brien: I’m off the hook.
Sand . . .
Q: In this movie, you guys get some pretty good cardio. It’s pretty much a continuous chase scene in a way. What was it like, like, going up those sand dunes and doing all that?
Ms. Kaya Scodelario: So much fun. Kill me if I ever see sand again in my life. I don’t ever want to see a grain of sand again. It was great.
Mr. Dylan O’Brien: Not so much as a grain. “It was great.”
Mr. Ki Hong Lee: It was, It was better when they had the big fans, and they were throwing sand in the, in the fan so the, more sand can get in our faces.
Ms. Kaya Scodelario: Yes. You’re inhaling the sand. Do you remember that when they literally throwing buckets of sand in front of the fans.
Q: So, how long did it take to get the sand off of you?
Mr. Dylan O’Brien: Weeks. Weeks.
Ms. Kaya Scodelario: Months.
Pranks?
Mr. Dylan O’Brien: Oh, totally. Dex loves his shoes. He was out one night and a few of us were home, and he had the game system. So, we wanted to get into his room to get the Mario Kart. And while we were in there, too, he had his new shoes that he had just gotten that he was like all about. The new Jordans?
Mr. Dexter Darden: The LeBrons?
Mr. Dylan O’Brien: The LeBrons. And I’m a huge sneaker head as well. And basically we all thought it would be funny in our goofy, giggly manner to take Dex’s shoes, and have him have that horrible moment of going where the heck are my LeBrons? It wasn’t that funny.
Mr. Dexter Darden: No.
Ms. Kaya Scodelario: How did you take it?
Mr. Dylan O’Brien: It didn’t go that well.
Mr. Dexter Darden: They opened the door, and I was like–.
Mr. Dylan O’Brien: “Where my shoes?”
Mr. Dexter Darden: “Where my shoes?” That was it, but–.
Mr. Dylan O’Brien: I’m sorry.
Mr. Dexter Darden: On the first one, we had a prank where Will [Poulter]–well, I kept getting love letters in my apron, in Frypan’s apron with random phone numbers for like three weeks.
Ms. Kaya Scodelario: It was one phone number that you phoned every day.
Mr. Dexter Darden: I did phone it. Well, because–well, first of all–. I was constantly like, who is this human being? But, it ended up being Will Poulter who played Gally, putting love letters in my apron. And so that was a prank. But really, I mean, we’re really just a joking, fun-loving cast, as you can see. So everybody’s joking around with each other but not really pranking, I don’t think.
Mr. Dylan O’Brien: We never want to hurt each other’s feelings.
Ms. Kaya Scodelario: No.
I REALLY WANT TO THANK 20th Century Fox for letting me participate in the fun interview with the cast. They were really great people to put up with us bloggers.
GIVEAWAY
The cast was kind enough to sign a copy of the book to give to one lucky fan.
Leave a comment with your favorite Maze Runner moment from anyone of the books or movies.
This giveaway will end on September 18 midnight Pacific.
US only, PO Boxes ok!
I love when Thomas runs into the maze even when people try to stop him, and then he saves Alby, (??)) despite what everyone says!! 🙂
I loved the moment when Thomas is trapped in the maze overnight with Minho and risks his life to save Alby.
I like in the first movie when the “last one” comes up and they realize it’s a girl.
I am entering for my daughter. I think my most favorite moments was when she would tell me what happened in the book vs what happened in the movie. She could not get enough of either one. In fact, the movie is the first thing she asked for for Christmas…same with ST if it happens to come out right before Christmas on dvd this year as well.
I think my favorite part from the books would be in The Scorch Trials when Thomas and company were escaping the WICKED compound and they kept getting attacked by that super creepy metal ball thing that stuck to peoples’ heads. It was so scary!!
When Chuck saved Thomas as the end. Cried my eyes out.
I predict more tears in your future for the Scorch Trials. OMG – Brenda
NOOOOOO! Everyone is going to be fine and live happily ever after….especially Thomas. Ha!
In the first book, I loved when they opened the box and it’s a GIRL (gasp!)
For me, even though I read the book, the action in the movie brought it to life. I found my heart racing when I watched Thomas run into the maze for the first time! Watching the walls close in on him and waiting for him to get free of it!
When they actually got out of the maze and discovered what was really outside. Seems like it may have been safer to just stay in.
the part when they find the abandoned shack
When Thomas first goes into the maze . I’m always a curios cat so finally getting to know what is in the maze was epic to me!
I love when they realize it’s a GIRL :).
I watched it and liked when they realized it was a girl.
My fave moment is when Theresa arrives for the first time. Thank you so much!
Thomas running in the maze
I will stick with two parts of The Scorch Trials that I always think of when I think of the book. First is at the very beginning when there is an ambush and then they’re in the dark trying to escape. I just remember the feeling I got from reading about being in the total darkness and trying to find your way to safety. The other part is when they first meet Jorge, and the rest of his crew. The part where they all come down on ropes, or jumping from the 3rd and higher floors of the building they took shelter in. I think it was a hotel building? Those are the scenes I hope make it into the movie, because I want to see if they can make them look like they did in my imagination as I read the book.
Thomas running in the maze is my favorite moment.
THOMAS RUNNING IN THE MAZE! THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY!
I love when they elevator opens and everyone stares at each other and is like “A GIRL?!?!?!”
Thomas running in the maze.
when they finally made it through and saw the state of the world
My son said his favorite moment was when Thomas found out he could speak to Teresa from his mind.
When the elevator opened and everyone was surprised to find a girl!
My favorite part was Thomas running in the Maze! Very exciting! Thank you!
I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize I had already entered! You can delete my second entry!!
I haven’t seen the movie or read the books yet, unfortunately! The books are on my wish list though!
I have to say, they did a great job converting the boom into a movie, I loved reading it then watching the movie and comparing the two. I’m excited to see The Scorch Trials and comparing it to the book!
My favorite part would have to be when Thomas ran into the maze. It set the whole foudation, gave you a sense of who Thomas really was before he even knew himself. It’s like he was the hear that set everything in motion. Dylan O’brien did a fantastic job playing Thomas.
Mandy is the winner!