‘Maze Runner: The Death Cure’ Delayed for 2018 following Dylan O’Brien’s Accident, 20th Century Fox Cooperates in Safety Investigation

‘Maze Runner: The Death Cure’ is delayed for a 2018 premiere following lead actor Dylan O’Brien’s accident on March. 20th Century Fox is cooperating in a safety investigation with WorkSafeBC.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, 20th Century Fox pushed the release date for the upcoming third installment in the ‘Maze Runner’ cinematic trilogy to 2018 following O’Brien’s accident on the filming set. It was originally scheduled to premiere on February 17, 2017.

O’Brien is recuperating from injuries sustained during filming on March 18. His stunt involved being in a harness on top of a moving vehicle. He was pulled from the vehicle and hit by another vehicle. Production was reportedly shut down indefinitely on April 29.

A report from WorkSafeBC, an agency dedicated to workplace health and worker safety in the province of British Columbia, revealed that the 24-year old actor sustained a "concussion, facial fracture and lacerations." Insiders claimed that his injuries were more severe than previously believed.

According to The List, WorkSafeBC stated that the film’s production team was at fault for O’Brien’s accident following an investigation. The report stated that the actor received “minimal instruction” as well as a short lanyard before he went on to perform the stunt in Cache Creek airport in Aschcroft, Canada.

It read, "The change to the action sequence increased the risk of injury as the transition was now between two vehicles that were not connected." WorkSafeBC’s report also revealed that although the stunt was "planned and rehearsed", it underwent changes so the scene could be completed in one sequence instead of two.

20th Century Fox has fully cooperated in the investigation and has until June 15 to respond to the report. The company is also conducting a separate investigation of their own. Chris Petrikin, 20th Century Fox’s Chief Executive and Communications Officer, stated that their primary concern is their leading man’s recovery. He said in a statement, "We have been working with WorkSafeBC to try and correct some inaccuracies in the Inspection Report and appreciate WorkSafe's willingness to discuss our concerns.”

O’Brien starred in ‘Maze Runner: The Death Cure’ and returned to reprise his role in the sequel ‘Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials’. According to Box Office Mojo, the first film grossed $348.31 million worldwide against a $34 million budget while the follow-up earned $312.32 million against a heftier $61 million production budget.

‘Maze Runner: The Death Cure’ is an upcoming science-fiction film intended as the third installment in the ‘Maze Runner’ trilogy based on the young adult novels of the same name authored by James Dashner.